Vol. 78 No. 2 (2023)
Digitalisation and just transition - Research Articles

Digitalisation in rural areas: exploring perspectives and main challenges ahead

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  • Sabrina Arcuri,
  • Gianluca Brunori,
  • Silvia Rolandi
Sabrina Arcuri
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa
Gianluca Brunori
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa
Silvia Rolandi
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-14368

Published 2023-12-31

Keywords

  • rural areas,
  • digital divide,
  • rural policy,
  • governance,
  • digitalisation

How to Cite

Arcuri, S., Brunori, G., & Rolandi, S. (2023). Digitalisation in rural areas: exploring perspectives and main challenges ahead. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics (REA), 78(2), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-14368

Copyright (c) 2023 Sabrina Arcuri, Gianluca Brunori, Silvia Rolandi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive critical review on digitalisation in rural areas, drawing on international and EU policies, scientific and grey literature and real-life examples from two European H2020 research projects. In doing so, it aims at providing a basic conceptual framework encompassing three main intervention areas, with relative sub-themes, identified as relevant for rural areas, namely: the rural digital divide, the attractiveness of rural areas and opportunities for strengthening local governance. For each of these broad themes, the role of digital tools is explored and supported by case study examples providing valuable insights and real-life applications in rural settings.

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