Information and communications technology: A non-income influence on economic well being

Purpose - This paper tests the hypothesis that more information via higher levels of diffusion of ICT: a non-income influence, leads to an improvement in societal well being using data from a large sample of low-income countries. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical procedure utilises a pooled cross section time wise autoregressive model to test the effects of information and communications technology (ICT) on economic well being. Findings - The findings here provide strong support that the diffusion of the new ICT positively contribute to societal economic well being. Practical implications - The implication of the findings is that low-income countries, in particular, should quickly move to seize the opportunity to develop their ICT infrastructure given its beneficial welfare effects. Originality/value - The paper examines the effect of ICT on well being.