Digital Economy and Environmental Sustainability

Do Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Economic Complexity Matter

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15514254
AutoresAsif Khan (0000-0001-7618-3059, Zhengzhou University), Ximei Wu (0000-0001-9517-1117, Zhengzhou University, autor correspondente)
Ano2022
Volume19
Fascículo19
Páginas12301-12301
Data de publicação2022-09-28
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph191912301
PMID36231602
OpenAlexW4297474516
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas70

In the current era of digital economy, the role of information communication and technology (ICT) and economic complexity are important for controlling environmental unsustainability and formulating policies to deal with ecological concerns. However, the relationship between digital economy and environment has been studied widely; nevertheless, the relationship between ICT-based digital economy, economic complexity, and ecological footprint has not been studied extensively. Therefore, the aim of current study is to fill the existing gap by investigating the relationship between ICT, economic complexity, and ecological footprint in the case of G-seven (digital) economies. Furthermore, the past research studies were usually based on carbon emissions to measure environmental sustainability, while this study fills the gap using ecological footprint as a proxy for environmental degradation. By using the panel data over the period of 2001-2018 for G-seven economies, this study performs first-generation as well as second-generation unit root testing methods. Findings of both Pesaran's and B&P's cross-sectional dependence testing approaches confirm the presence of cross-sectional dependence across all G-seven economies. The empirical findings of cointegration (Pedroni and Kao) tests verify a stable long-run association between ecological footprint, ICT import, ICT export, economic complexity, economic growth, and other control grouped variables. The empirical evidence obtained from the fully modified OLS model suggests that ICT export, economic complexity, and economic growth enhance the intensity of ecological footprint, while ICT import, research and development (RD), and trade are helpful in reducing ecological footprint in G-seven economies. These empirical findings obtained are verified by pooled mean group-ARDL (PMG-ARDL) methodologies and confirm that there is no inconsistency in the results. On the basis of these results, some policy implications for ecological footprint, ICT, and economic complexity are discussed

Business · Cointegration · Digital economy · Ecological footprint · Econometrics · Economics · Economy · Empirical research · Environmental economics · Information and Communications Technology · Natural resource economics · Structural complexity · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Computer Science · Economic and Technological Innovation · Energy, Environment, Economic Growth · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Ecology