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E-Government for Sustainable Development: Evidence from MENA Countries

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  • Iyad Dhaoui

    (Tunisian Institute of Competitiveness and Quantitative Studies)

Abstract

This research paper investigates the role of electronic government on various aspects of economic and social development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The paper uses a panel data of 15 MENA countries between 2003 and 2018. The paper examines, first, the effect of e-government on good governance. Second, it highlights the effect of good governance on sustainable development, and third, it assesses the effect of e-government development on sustainable development, i.e., the digital dividends. The race is between skills and technology, while the outcome will settle on whether the dividends from digital technologies are realized and the benefits widely shared. The results reveal that most indicators of good governance have a positive contribution to sustainable development. As for the impact of e-government development on governance indicators, findings show that digitalization improves control of corruption and government effectiveness, and to a lesser extent, regulatory quality. Contrary to what was expected, e-government-related variables exert an adverse effect on various aspects of sustainable development instead of being a catalyst for progress. Based on these findings, the paper provides some recommendations. Essentially, policies on the use of digital technologies need to be adequately embedded in public sector reform. MENA countries should promote competitive business environments, enhance accountability, and upgrade education and skills development systems. Our findings are then of great interest to policymakers to make the necessary reforms that reap digital dividends in the form of faster growth, better public services, and adequate environmental management.

Suggested Citation

  • Iyad Dhaoui, 2022. "E-Government for Sustainable Development: Evidence from MENA Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(3), pages 2070-2099, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:13:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s13132-021-00791-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-021-00791-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Bacha, Radia & Gasmi, Farid & Metevier, Samantha, 2024. "Broadband adoption in Algeria and the structural determinants of its pace," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6).
    4. Zhao, Shuliang & Teng, Linjiao & Arkorful, Vincent Ekow & Hu, Hui, 2023. "Impacts of digital government on regional eco-innovation: Moderating role of dual environmental regulations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    5. Ding, Guangyuan & Xiong, Yunbiao & Wang, Yashu, 2024. "Moderating effect of digital governance and eco-policy stringency in realizing natural resources-growth nexus: Role of financial development and FDI in G20 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    6. Oana Ramona Glont, 2024. "The Impact of Improvement the Degree of Digitization of Financial and Business Activities on Socio-Economic Structures in Romania," Journal of Financial Studies, Institute of Financial Studies, vol. 16(9), pages 111-118, May.
    7. Wang, Zongrun & Cao, Xuxin & Ren, Xiaohang & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad, 2024. "Can digital transformation affect coal utilization efficiency in China? Evidence from spatial econometric analyses," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. Rodríguez Bolívar, Manuel Pedro & Alcaide Muñoz, Laura & Alcaide Muñoz, Cristina, 2023. "Identifying patterns in smart initiatives' planning in smart cities. An empirical analysis in Spanish smart cities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    9. Tobi Awe, Peter & Idris Abdulrahman, Abdulganiyu, 2024. "Institutional Systems And Quality Of Life In Sub-Saharan Africa," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 11(1), pages 57-68, June.
    10. Wu, Wenjun & Zhao, Zhilong & Yu, Siming & Zhang, Minyuan, 2024. "Do E-governance, mineral resources, and policy stringency facilitate economic growth in selected resource-rich countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    11. Xu, Jingru & Yang, Baochen & Yuan, Chunlai, 2024. "Enhancing natural resource efficiency through digital government: Evidence from the utilization of energy, water, and land resources," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    12. Liu, Nan & Teng, Long & Tian, Wenjuan & Li, Ying, 2023. "Does digitalization enhance fossil fuels resources efficiency?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    13. Hao, Xiaoli & Miao, Erxiang & Sun, Qingyu & Li, Ke & Wen, Shufang & Xue, Yan, 2024. "The impact of digital government on corporate green innovation: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    14. Gasmi, Farid & Kouakou, Dorgyles & Noumba Um, Paul & Rojas Milla, Pedro, 2023. "An empirical analysis of the social contract in the MENA region and the role of digitalization in its transformation," TSE Working Papers 23-1423, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    E-government; Good governance; Sustainable development; MENA countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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