Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis
Authors
1
PhD Student of Geography and Rural Planning, Human Geography Group, Faculty of Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Associate Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Human Geography Group, Faculty of Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
3
Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Human Geography Group, Faculty of Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
4
Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Information and communications technology (ICT) in rural areas is considered one of the strategies for sustainable development today. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of ICT on the sustainable development of rural settlements in South Khorasan Province. This research, which is applied in nature, was conducted using quantitative methodology. The statistical population includes villages with ICT offices (totaling 203 villages according to statistics from 2021) across 11 counties in South Khorasan Province. For a detailed study, 10% of the villages, comprising 32 villages with a total population of 24871, were selected as the study sample. Using Cochran's formula and a confidence level of 95%, 380 individuals were randomly surveyed. For analysis, regression techniques and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed using Smart PLS software. The results indicate that ICT has facilitated transformations in environmental-ecological, socio-cultural, economic, spatial-physical dimensions, and ultimately sustainable development. A key point is that although this effectiveness has impacted all dimensions, it has not been uniform; specifically, the natural-ecological dimension has undergone more significant changes compared to others. Villages that quickly recognize the opportunities provided by ICT can compensate for their backwardness. Given the close relationship between this technology and sustainable development and integrated development, efforts should be made to remove existing barriers affecting the impact of these offices on the studied dimensions to maximize benefits for the villages.
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