ICT Laws, Uncertainty Avoidance, and ICT Diffusion: Insights from Cross-Country Data

Abstract

The economic future of a country depends on the degree to which information and communication technologies (ICTs) diffuse among its key stakeholders—citizens, businesses, and government. Yet, there is a dearth of cross-country analysis of ICT diffusion jointly examining technology diffusion among these key stakeholders in a single research model. Further, while environmental factors are significant for ICT diffusion, there is limited understanding on the impact of ICT laws on ICT diffusion among these three stakeholders across countries. Drawing on the literature on ICT diffusion and Hofstede’s typology of national culture, this study contends that ICT laws in a country can positively influence the ICT diffusion among its citizens, businesses, and the government, and these relationships can be contingent on the national cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance. The proposed research model is examined using publicly available archival data from 90 countries. The findings suggest that sound ICT laws are necessary for achieving a greater diffusion of ICTs among citizens, businesses, and the government in a country. Further, the study provides important implications that would encourage future research on the phenomenon.