Measuring level of technological infrastructure in smart cities: A non-compensatory approach

Abstract

This study focuses on a comparative quantitative analysis of medium-sized European cities with the aim of providing an accurate measure of their level of e-skills and technological infrastructure. In order to clarify the conceptual framework in which we move, the work notes the interconnection that is established between the different dimensions that determine the “smart” character of a city. Through a multidimensional approach, it has been possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different urban environments and make proposals about the strategic priorities that should guide the business actors in their investments. From this awareness derives the ability of companies to innovate from a “smart” point of view the urban environment in which they operate, focusing on the sectors that most need to adapt to new needs. The proposed statistical analysis is at the same time a tool for analysis and guidance to facilitate the assumption by the actors of the business of successful strategic choices. From these arguments can also be inferred the regulatory approaches that governments should adopt in order to stimulate competition in the market. The method chosen to conduct the analysis is an aggregative partially non-compensatory method. The advantage of the method is to encourage the aggregation of variables belonging to different dimensions without creating a compensation between uneven values of the variables. Through the application of a specific penalty measure, the analysis is corrected in a non-distortive sense, better capturing the interdimensional differences that exist in different cities.