情報通信技術の使用と経済成長

近年、情報通信技術（ICT）の進歩は、経済学、グローバリゼーション、貿易拡張の再編成など、資本の流れや情報の可用性の向上など、多くの構造的変化を引き起こしました。さらに、ICTは、特に自由化プロセス中に、各経済セクターの発展に重要な役割を果たしています。成長エコノミストは、経済成長はICTへの投資によって推進されると予測しています。しかし、この問題に関する実証研究により、研究のさまざまな研究方法と地理的構成に関して、さまざまな結果が生じています。This paper examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use on economic growth using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator within the framework of a dynamic panel data approach and applies it to 159 countries over the period 2000 to 2009. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between growth rate of real GDP per capita and ICT use index (as measured by the number of internet users, fixed broadband internet subscribers and the number of mobile subscription per 100住民）。また、経済成長に対するICT使用の効果は、他のグループではなく、高所得層でより高いことがわかります。これは、これらの国が経済成長を促進しようとする場合、ICTの使用を促進する特定の政策を実施する必要があることを意味します。

In recent years, progress in information and communication technology (ICT) has caused many structural changes such as reorganizing of economics, globalization, and trade extension, which leads to capital flows and enhancing information availability. Moreover, ICT plays a significant role in development of each economic sector, especially during liberalization process. Growth economists predict that economic growth is driven by investments in ICT. However, empirical studies on this issue have produced mixed results, regarding to different research methodology and geographical configuration of the study. This paper examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use on economic growth using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator within the framework of a dynamic panel data approach and applies it to 159 countries over the period 2000 to 2009. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between growth rate of real GDP per capita and ICT use index (as measured by the number of internet users, fixed broadband internet subscribers and the number of mobile subscription per 100 inhabitants). We also find that the effect of ICT use on economic growth is higher in high income group rather than other groups. This implies that if these countries seek to enhance their economic growth, they need to implement specific policies that facilitate ICT use.