The effects of information and communication technology on village development performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) affects village development performance, which is measured through the Developing Village Index (VDP). This index is made up of three dimensions: Social, Economic, and Environmental Resilience Indexes. By using quantitative methods and cross-sectional data from 1,842 villages in the Central Sulawesi Province in 2021, the study concludes that ICT has a positive impact on the development performance of villages overall. The study found that the quality of internet signals and the number of cell phone users, as well as the presence of technology devices and internet facilities in village offices, have a positive influence on village development performance. However, the existence of internet facilities for the public has no effect on village development performance, including economic, social, and environmental development in rural areas. By examining the effectiveness of both the community and the village government's utilization of ICT, this study contributes to understanding the impact of ICT in improving village development performance. To reduce the digital divide and continue to support rural development, it is important to enhance ICT facilities and infrastructure for rural communities and improve the quality of their implementation governance. Furthermore, to support the delivery of public services and the implementation of village development programs, both the government and Regional Government need to encourage the effectiveness of the use of ICT.