DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/26.3.4646
Original scientific paper
ICT and e-government in agricultural development: A European perspective with insights from the Western Balkans (a case study of Albania)
2025, 26 (3) p. 812-824
Anila Boshnjaku, Endri Plasari, Arben Kambo, Irena Fata
Abstract
This article investigates the relationship between the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and advancements in e-government, focusing on their impact on the agricultural sectors of Albania and the Western Balkans. While the analysis draws on data from 38 European countries to provide a broader context, the study specifically focuses on the Western Balkans, with Albania serving as a key case study due to its unique combination of high agricultural dependency and relatively advanced e-government services. The study examines indicators such as the E-Government Development Index, Network Readiness Index, and agriculture's contribution to GDP by drawing on 2022 data from the World Bank, UN databases, and the Network Readiness Index reports. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation between ICT development and agriculture’s contribution to GDP in Europe, suggesting that while ICT adoption and e-government services have advanced, their integration into the agricultural sector remains inconsistent. This limited integration contrasts with other economic sectors that capitalize more effectively on technological progress. The research utilizes correlation analysis, multivariate statistical methods, and cluster analysis to classify 38 European countries into three clusters based on ICT engagement, e-government development, and agriculture’s contribution to GDP. Albania’s profile demonstrates a heavy reliance on agriculture and relatively advanced e-government services, yet it has a lower Network Readiness level compared to its regional peers. The study underscores the potential benefits of targeted policies that enhance digital infrastructure, foster digital literacy, and promote ICT adoption and e-government initiatives.
Keywords
e-agriculture, digital infrastructure, ICT adoption, policy implications, cluster analysis
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