ICT-based public policies and depopulation in hollowed-out Spain: A survey analysis on the digital divide and citizen satisfaction

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120811Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • The digital divide by municipal size persists and digital inclusion is not guaranteed.

  • Access to ICT does not automatically lead to greater use of technologies.

  • Satisfaction with ICT development is not related to the levels of ICT use.

  • Population profiles are identified regarding satisfaction with ICT development.

  • ICT public policies are not sufficient to retain and settle the population.

Abstract

Drawing on the findings of a survey administered to 514 inhabitants of the so-called hollowed-out Spain (la España vaciada, referring to the country's depopulated regions), this study provides a basis for assessing the effectiveness and impact of ICT-based public policies. The study facilitates so-called Rural Proofing, identifying the weaknesses on which the administration can focus to improve living conditions and so prevent the exodus from rural areas. The existence of a digital divide was corroborated, as was the presence of different population profiles related to satisfaction with ICT development. Digital inclusion is not guaranteed across all groups of population, while greater use of ICT is not associated with greater satisfaction. Furthermore, the levels of access, use and satisfaction with ICT development alone do not appear to be sufficient to deter depopulation.

Keywords

Depopulation
Rurality
Digital divide
ICT
Internet access
Internet use
Citizen satisfaction
Survey
ICT-based public policy

Cited by (0)

Carolina Pontones Rosa: PhD in Accounting and Finance by the University of Castilla-La Mancha. She works as Associate Professor in Financial and Management Accounting at the University of Castilla-La Mancha since 2007. Her lines of research are focused on Management accounting, performance auditing in local government, public services in general, and social care services. Her current research covers the area of public policy and e-governance in rural contexts. ID: http://orcid.org/0000–0001–6989–7969

Rosario Pérez Morote: PhD in Accounting and Finance by the University of Castilla- La Mancha. She has 24 years of experience working in Higher Education as Associate Professor in Financial and Management Accounting at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Her main research lines are framed in cost and management accounting both in the private and the public sphere and, within the latter, the management and control of costs in local governments. More recently, her research is focused on e-government and public accountability. She is currently Academic Director at the Vice President's Office of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. ID: http://orcid.org/0000–0001–5502–3646

Jesús Santos Peñalver: Professor of financial economics and accounting at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, with thirty-eight years of university teaching experience. Public position as an economist got it by public exam, in the regional administration of Castilla – La Mancha (on leave absence). Auditor registered in the official Register of Account Auditors. Accounting expert, accredited by the “Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas” of Spain. Member of the research team which was recognized in 2016 by the José María Fernández Pirla National Award (most important award about Accounting research projects in Spain). Member of the Experts Committee (appointed by the Ministers Council of the Spanish) to review the regional financial system in Spain (2017).