jueves, 31 de octubre de 2019

International finding in the relationship of technology and quality of life

Highlights

We review the concept and measurements of quality of life.
We analyse the relationships between quality of life and ICTs.
Use of new technologies and technological capacity are key in the citizens' development.
There is a clear relationship between technology and quality of life in European regions.
The digital citizen is happier and values living in regions with high technological capacity.

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miércoles, 30 de octubre de 2019

Nuevo artículo del Grupo en IC

Sustainability Journal

An Intellectual Capital Approach to Citizens’ Quality of Life in Sustainable Cities: A Focus on Europe

López-Ruiz, V.-R.; Alfaro-Navarro, J.-L.; Nevado-Peña, D. 

Abstract

The quality of life of citizens in a city is related to the sustainable decisions made by their leaders. By using principal component analysis (PCA) and taking an intellectual capital perspective (all sources of knowledge in human, relational and structural areas), we explore which of the three dimensions used to measure the sustainability of a city—economic, social or environmental—has the greatest effect on a subjective measurement of quality of life. We propose an econometric model based on a tangible production model to study the relationship between the quality of life and sustainability. To that end, we perform an in-depth examination of the different effects on the four dimensions that comprise the measure of the subjective quality of life: satisfaction, mobility, integration and public service. The results of the estimated model of citizens’ quality of life confirm the existence of a direct relationship for the 52 European cities under study; however, the least relevant role is played by the environmental dimension, which is still unappreciated by citizens. Conversely, the economic and social dimension are found to be determinants in all cases, except for social integration. Therefore, a key requirement of the management aimed at achieving sustainable development in European cities is to activate the environmental dimension.

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martes, 15 de octubre de 2019

Improving quality of life perception with ICT use and technological capacity in Europe

New article of ICRG in a Top Journal

Technological Forecasting and Social Change (IF:3.815; JCR19; Q1)
Happiness and Quality of Life

Highlights
  • We review the concept and measurements of quality of life.
  • We analyse the relationships between quality of life and ICTs.
  • Use of new technologies and technological capacity are key in the citizens' development.
  • There is a clear relationship between technology and quality of life in European regions.
  • The digital citizen is happier and values living in regions with high technological capacity.

Abstract

Quality of life is a key element in the sustainable development of countries, regions and cities. However, due to the difficulties involved in measuring it, there are no clear criteria as to which aspects of the economy should be enhanced in order to improve life conditions. In this respect, just as in the past literacy enabled human development and integration, these days, the use of new technologies and technological capacity are key elements that facilitate citizens' development. In this study, we use the information available in the Flash Eurobarometer 419 and Eurostat data on Information and Communications Technology to analyse the factors that Europeans consider key to achieving a better quality of life. We can thus see how the use of new technologies and technological capacity influence these factors. This analysis has been carried out at the highest level of disaggregation possible given the available information, and includes a total of 79 European NUTS 2 regions. The results reveal a clear relationship between technology and quality of life; the digital citizen is happier and values living in regions/cities with technological capacity, which invest in R&D, and which are committed to achieving sustainable growth.

Transfer over 'A model for Spanish society' Plos One (2021)

Based on our work published in Plos One (2021): The relationship between happiness and quality of life: A model for Spanish society , they c...