Exploration of Factors of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the Socio-Economic Development of Nagaland, India- A Citizen Perspective
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Abstract
Information Communication Technology (ICT) in recent years is acting as a vital force in the socio-economic development of a Country. The potentiality of ICT impacting many activities like-economic, social, education, healthcare, productivity, poverty alleviation can be observed in extant literature. However, the direction and magnitude of the impact of ICT on socio-economic development have not been examined elaborately and statistically in particular to the North-Eastern part of India. Thus, this study attempts to fill the gap by emphasizing on ICT driven socio-economic development from the perspective of a developing country. The theoretical model adapted from the works of Palvia et al. (2018), which was influenced by Madon (2000) conceptual design was used to achieve the objectives of this study. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed at first to extract the factors, and later through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the construct reliability was calculated on a separate sample. This study also examines the extent of the impact of ICT on socio-economic development by fitting a structural model. The findings suggest that the empowerment factor of ICT has the highest predictive capability of socio-economic development in the State of Nagaland, followed by the social contact factor. However, the complementary potential of ICT in the economic transformation can be adequately exploited, provided the State government brings out the cutting-edge policy on entrepreneurship through setting up of micro and small-scale units preferably agro-based and service-based. Thus, the policymakers need to give more emphasis on ICT to significantly speed up the overall socio-economic development and inclusive growth in the State of Nagaland.