A Model of the Influence of Rural ICT Users on Regional Development

This study developed and verified a model that can be applied to evaluate the influence of rural ICT user on the regional development. The conceptual model was adopted from D&M Model and the constructs of the model were selected from empirical research. Based on the canonical correlation analysis on the data collected from the fields, as results, two canonical correlations were identified and verified, which emphasis on economic relationship and social relationship respectively. The economic influence of individual ICT user on the regional development implies that the application of ICT for knowledge learning can directly increase the individual income, enhance the personal recognition of the knowledge value, and motivate further application of ICT for knowledge. The social influence of individual ICT user on the regional development indicates that ICT based knowledge transfer to the rural region can directly improve the quality of individual work and life, formulate a learning culture, and further contribute to the overall competiveness of regional social life.