The dynamic nexus of E-Government, and sustainable development: Moderating role of multi-dimensional regional integration index in Belt and Road partner countries

• Published in: Technology in society 2022-02, Vol.68, p.101903, Article 101903
• Main Authors: Ullah, Atta, Pinglu, Chen, Ullah, Saif, Qaisar, Zahid Hussain, Qian, Ningyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Belt and road; Cointegration; Communications technology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Developing countries; Driscoll-Kraay standard errorsregression; E-Government development, Institutional quality; Economic development; Economic growth; Electronic government; Exports; Generalized method of moments; Governance; Government; Indexes; Information technology; Innovations; Internet; LDCs; Macroeconomics; Method of moments; Pandemics; Political systems; Public services; Regional development; Regional integration; Regions; Resource utilization; Roads & highways; Robustness; Socioeconomic factors; Solow growth model; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Transformation; Two-step system GMM
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101903

This research primarily aims to determine how e-government resource utilization influences sustainable development (SD) while considering the multi-dimensional regional integration index (MRII). The sample consists of year 2003–2018 for 64 Belt and Road countries. The study uses the untapped potential of MRII moderating role between the e-government, and the genuine savings index (GSI) for sustainable development. Further, governance composite (WGI), institutional quality (ICRG), government consumptions, macroeconomics conditions, information and communications technology (ICT) exports, population size and internet users are the other important factors that drive sustainable development. The study's findings are estimated through a two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) which validated through re-estimating alternate variables and D-K regression. Direct channel results of e-government level indicate a significant but negative impact on sustainable development as most countries in BRI are developing or under developing. While, with multi-dimensional regional integration, indirect channel e-government resources play a significant positive role in sustainable development path. Also, it is evident that in Covid-19 pandemic period, a better technological system and innovation at the institutional level of countries like China may combat Covid-19 effectively in a more robust manner. At the same time, regional integration at a multi-dimensional level further enhances sustainable development path for neighboring and regionally interconnected countries. Therefore, regional integration can help to an extent in combating post-Covid-19 pandemic effects with the help of robust e-government system implementation and to promote sustainable development. This study contributes to the e-government transformation in the multi-dimensional regional integration of BRI contexts, which boosts balanced environmental-friendly socio-economic growth. •Uses untapped regional integration, e-government and sustainable development.•Employed two-step system GMM in 64 Belt and Road countries.•E-government and institution quality can contribute to sustainable development path.•Regional integration of interconnected countries enhances sustainable development.•The findings have balanced and sustainable growth implications.