IT Diffusion in the Society: The Expansion of Smart Cities and Their Impact on the Sustainable Development

Abstract

The spread of information technology is now visible at every turn, considering organizations, individuals, and society as a whole. Organizations, aside from the current problems associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, highlight digitalization as one of their main priorities. However, technology and digitalization do not only apply to organizations, but also to the lives of individuals and communities. After all, many places today are faced with major challenges arising from global environmental shifts, rapid urbanization, and ageing infrastructure. On the other hand, digitalization may bring new opportunities and is already establishing the concept of smart cities and communities. At the organizational level, the goals of digitalization are more or less clear, however, the question arises about the goals at the level of society. Climate changes are certainly one of the areas that society cannot ignore. Smart cities and communities can make a significant contribution in this area; however, goals must be set appropriately. Many studies focus on the importance of smart city development, but there is a lack of research linking smart city development (including society as a whole) with quality of life, sustainable development, and a green future. At the same time, adopting digital solutions is becoming increasingly difficult due to rapidly evolving innovations and the difficulty of managing the complexity of intertwining technologies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the intertwining of these aspects and highlight the factors that can ensure sustainable development in smart communities.