INTERNET USE AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN GEORGIA

Year 2022, 30th Year of Transition Economies Special Issue, 82 - 93, 31.12.2022

Bayram Veli Doyar

Abstract

The current work investigates the determinants of life satisfaction in Georgia with a particular focus on Internet use by considering individuals as consumers and laborers. The main motivation is the idea that Internet use may increase the life satisfaction of individuals (consumers and workers) and eventually their productivity. Caucasus Barometer 2021 survey data covering 1,540 individuals is used for empirical analysis. Since life satisfaction is a binary variable (either satisfied or not satisfied), a logit model is employed to investigate the relationship. Findings indicate that the highest impact on life satisfaction is captured by income level. Accordingly, higher income levels end up with a higher probability of life satisfaction. Those who are female, young, educated, and employed are more likely to be satisfied with their lives. Finally, daily Internet use shows a positive effect on life satisfaction. In this context, it is stated that Georgia can develop and implement policies that encourage Internet use.

Keywords

Internet, Life satisfaction, Microeconomics, Logit

GÜRCİSTAN'DA İNTERNET KULLANIMI VE YAŞAM DOYUMU

Abstract

Mevcut çalışma Gürcistan'daki yaşam doyumunun belirleyicilerini, bireyleri tüketici ve işgücü olarak ele alarak internet kullanımı özelinde araştırmaktadır. Temel motivasyon, internet kullanımının bireylerin (tüketiciler ve çalışanlar) yaşam doyumunu ve nihayetinde üretkenliklerini artırabileceği düşüncesidir. Ampirik analiz için 1,540 kişiyi kapsayan Caucasus Barometer 2021 anket verileri kullanılmıştır. Yaşam doyumu bir kukla değişken (memnun ya da değil) olduğundan, ilişkiyi araştırmak için logit modeli kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, yaşam doyumu üzerindeki en yüksek etkinin gelir düzeyi tarafından sağlandığını göstermektedir. Buna göre daha yüksek gelir seviyeleri, daha yüksek bir yaşam doyumu olasılığı ile sonuçlanmaktadır. Kadın, genç, eğitimli ve çalışan kişilerin hayatlarından memnun olma olasılıkları da daha yüksektir. Son olarak günlük internet kullanımı yaşam doyumu üzerinde olumlu etki göstermektedir. Bu kapsamda Gürcistan'ın internet kullanımını özendirici politikalar geliştirebileceği ve uygulayabileceği belirtilmiştir.

Keywords

İnternet, Yaşam Doyumu, Logit, Mikro iktisat

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