Digital technology and regional income inequality: Are better institutions the solution?
研究了2006至2016年欧洲NUTS2地区数字技术对收入不平等的影响，发现数字技术加剧不平等，但有效的正式制度（如政府效能）和桥接型社会资本能缓解这一负面效应。
In this paper, we examine the effect of regional digital technology (including computing, communication equipment, software, and databases) on income distribution at the regional level. We aim to fill a gap in existing research by exploring the moderating role of formal and informal institutions —such as bonding and bridging social capital— in shaping how digital technology affects income inequality across European NUTS2 regions from 2006 to 2016. The results indicate that regions with greater access to digital technology are prone to higher levels of income inequality. However, this negative link is mitigated by strong formal and informal institutions, particularly through improved government effectiveness and bridging social capital. The findings are robust to potential endogeneity concerns, as demonstrated by the instrumental variable approach adopted.