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Open research questions in ICT Impact and Policies

169 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,692 ICT Impact and Policies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • There is a notable gap in direct policy interventions targeting problematic internet use. Existing regulations largely focus on broader digital governance issues, offering only indirect approaches to mitigating the adverse effects of problematic internet use. The study identifies a need for innovative policy frameworks that incorporate mental health considerations into digital governance.

    Mapping policies related to problematic usage of the internet in seven European countries: Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Estonia and Switzerland · 2026 · DOI

  • Building on the policy discourse examined in this study, future research should focus on developing targeted, multidimensional strategies to mitigate the risks associated with problematic internet use (PUI), with particular emphasis on safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations.

    Mapping policies related to problematic usage of the internet in seven European countries: Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Estonia and Switzerland · 2026 · DOI

  • However, there are insufficient efforts to comprehensively integrate mobile technology into development strategies.

    Mobile-based digital technology adoption, gender, livelihood diversification, and poverty reduction in the Global South: a scoping review · 2026 · DOI

  • Finally, it opens opportunity for further research on cables, centralization, convergence, coloniality, digital risks, and other critical issues that may arise from Big Tech’s growing ownership across the pillars of the digital economy.

    Redefining competition and submarine cable ownership: Equiano, MainOne, and the making of middlemen · 2025 · DOI

  • Recognizing the gap in literature regarding the empowerment of underrepresented demographics through digital platforms, this research utilizes econometric models and authoritative data to explore the entrepreneurial potential in marginalized rural populations.

    Evaluating state-driven e-commerce strategies for empowering disadvantaged rural entrepreneurs in China · 2025 · DOI

  • To fill in the gaps in the literature, this study uses data from China’s inter-provincial panel from 2010 to 2019 to measure four aspects of internet development: software and information technology services, key internet indicators, service capacity of the telecommunication industry, and the communication capacity of the telecommunication industry.

    Can Internet Development Mitigate the Problem of Resource Misallocation? Evidence from China · 2024 · DOI

  • While the internet can drive economic development, social progress, and environmental improvement, its influence on sustainable regional development remains unclear.

    How does the internet affect regional sustainable development? Fresh evidence from China · 2024 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the literature on the moderating effect of access to electricity on the relationship between ICT and human development in emerging economies. The study highlights the need for further research on the impact of ICT on human development in emerging economies.

    Understanding the human development in emerging economies through the lens of ICT and access to electricity · 2026 · DOI

  • Regional heterogeneity and identifiable market gaps, particularly outside major metropolitan centers - Investment-return constraints for large incumbent operators

    The Evolution of Regional Internet Service Providers (ISPs): From the Brazilian Experience to the American Landscape · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of the impact of public data openness on carbon emission efficiency. The need to analyze the mechanisms underlying the relationship between public data openness and carbon emission efficiency.

    Can Public Data Openness Improve Carbon Emission Efficiency? A Quasi-Natural Experiment Analysis Based on the Launch of Public Data Platforms · 2026 · DOI

  • Sparse populations and long distances make it difficult to provide equitable and high-quality broadband. Seasonal variations in demand create persistent gaps in service quality and reliability. Harsh climate and dispersed population patterns complicate the provision of broadband.

    Rural connectivity inequalities in Finland and Sweden: Evidence, measures, and policy reflections · 2026 · DOI

  • Rural-urban connectivity gaps are a persistent global challenge. The digital divide has traditionally been conceptualized in terms of availability, but this does not capture the full extent of the problem.

    Rural connectivity inequalities in Finland and Sweden: Evidence, measures, and policy reflections · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can explore the digital divide in other communities and regions. Research can focus on developing inclusive policies and local support systems for equal participation in the digital society.

    Digital Society and the Digital Divide: A Sociological Study of the Kuruba Community with Special Reference to Tumkur District · 2026 · DOI

  • The digital divide remains a significant challenge, particularly among marginalized and rural communities. There is a need to understand how traditional social structures intersect with technological access.

    Digital Society and the Digital Divide: A Sociological Study of the Kuruba Community with Special Reference to Tumkur District · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the impact of market liberalization on telecommunications adoption in Morocco. The analysis highlights the need to consider the factors that drive market penetration in the telecommunications sector.

    Market concentration and competitiveness in the Moroccan telecommunications sector · 2026 · DOI

  • There is limited effort to investigate the effect of green ICT, smart urbanization, and digital financial inclusion on sustainable development.

    The role of green ICT, digital financial inclusion, and smart urbanization in sustainable development · 2026 · DOI

  • First of all, the key limitation of this study concerns the measurement of core variables, namely GICT, SU, and DFI. Another limitation of this study relates to the measurement of REC, which includes nuclear energy. Last limitation of this study relates to the measurement of SD.

    The role of green ICT, digital financial inclusion, and smart urbanization in sustainable development · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on the regulation and administration of the digital economy in China. Studies should examine the impact of algorithmic recommendation systems on consumer behavior. Research should investigate the emergence of new consumption paradigms and their implications.

    Research on the Changes in Chinese Residents' Consumption Behavior in the Digital Economy Era · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in understanding the changes in Chinese residents' consumption behavior in the digital economy era. The research seeks to address the lack of knowledge on the implications of this transformation for China's cyber-economy.

    Research on the Changes in Chinese Residents' Consumption Behavior in the Digital Economy Era · 2026 · DOI

  • The study has a limited sample size. The data set only includes prices of goods and services from 48 cities in the United States. The study does not account for other factors that may affect regional innovation gaps.

    Bridging the Regional Innovation Gap: The Driving Role of Digital Governance in China · 2026 · DOI

  • The gap is the lack of understanding of the driving role of digital governance in promoting spatial equity and innovation equilibrium. The study identifies a need for further research on the mechanism by which digital governance narrows regional innovation gaps. The paper highlights the importance of considering the role of digital governance in promoting spatial equity and innovation equilibrium.

    Bridging the Regional Innovation Gap: The Driving Role of Digital Governance in China · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the existing literature, which has focused on diverse dimensions but lacks a comprehensive and longitudinal perspective. The study highlights the need for a balanced policy approach to support digital advancement and green development.

    The role of regional readiness for green and digital transitions in shaping attractiveness: a composite index approach · 2026 · DOI

  • The backbones category is exploratory due to scarce access to data from these sectors. The global reach and private, commercial nature of the backbones sector limit the availability of data.

    The political economy of networked media: The revenue and concentration of communication markets in the Nordics · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of comprehensive concentration measures of media and communication markets in the Nordic region. The need to understand and contextualise what media concentration is in today’s digital platform economy.

    The political economy of networked media: The revenue and concentration of communication markets in the Nordics · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited infrastructure in remote and underserved regions. High deployment and maintenance costs of satellite-based internet. Lack of skilled professionals for satellite communication and digital health integration. Risk of data breaches and cybersecurity threats due to reliance on satellite communication.

    The Prospective Evolution of Digital Health in Indonesia within the Era of Space-Based Internet Connectivity · 2026 · DOI

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169 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,692 ICT Impact and Policies papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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