The dynamic nexus of E-Government, and sustainable development: Moderating role of multi-dimensional regional integration index in Belt and Road partner countries

ABSTRACT

This research primarily aims to determine how e-government resource utilization influences sustainable development (SD) while considering the multi-dimensional regional integration (MRII). The sample consists of year 2003–2018 for 64 Belt and Road countries. The study uses the untapped potential moderating role of MRII between the e-government, and the genuine savings index (GSI) for sustainable development. Further, governance composite (WGI), institutional quality (ICRG), government consumptions, macroeconomics conditions, information and communications technology (ICT) exports, and population size are the other important factors that drive sustainable development. The study's findings are estimated through a two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). Direct channel results of e-government level indicate a significant but negative impact on sustainable development as most countries in BRI are developing or under developing. While with regional integration, indirect channel e-government resources play a significant positive role in sustainable development path. Also, it is evident that in this Covid-19 pandemic period, a better technological system and innovation at the institutional level of countries like China may combat Covid-19 effectively in a more robust manner. At the same time, regional integration at a multi-dimensional level further enhances sustainable development path for neighboring and regionally interconnected countries. Therefore, regional integration can help to an extent in combating post-Covid-19 pandemic effects with the help of robust e-government system implementation. This study contributes to the e-government transformation in the multi-dimensional regional integration of BRI contexts, which boosts socio-economic growth.