Aljoša Budović, Vojislav Deđanski
University of Belgrade – Faculty of Geography,  Belgrade, Serbia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/eraz.2018.899

4th International Conference – ERAZ 2018 – KNOWLEDGE BASED SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, Sofia- Bulgaria, June 7, 2018, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans, Belgrade, Serbia;  Faculty of Business Studies, Mediterranean University – Podgorica, Montenegro; University of National and World Economy – Sofia, Bulgaria; Faculty of Commercial and Business Studies – Celje, Slovenia; Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance – Belgrade, Serbia, ISBN 978-86-80194-12-7

Abstract

ICT sector in Serbia, during the period of post-socialist transition, emerged as one of the most dynamic, productive and propulsive parts of the economy. By absorbing labour surplus, especially highly skilled workers, attracting foreign investments, and by increasing exports, productivity and competitiveness of the economy, ICT is considered to be a key element of the recovery and progress of transition economies. However, expansion of ICT is generally limited to larger cities in Serbia, especially Belgrade. Small or no presence of ICT services considerably weakens economic potential and inhibits economic development, thus uneven spatial distribution of ICT is becoming a new factor of spatial polarization. The aim of this paper is to understand the mechanisms behind the uneven spatial development of ICT sector in Serbia. For this purpose we used geographically weighted regression method to examine the impact of various socio-economic factors on the employment growth of ICT services in Serbian municipalities. The results of this study are important for spatial economic policy aimed to provide environment for further, but more evenly distributed, development of this strategic sector in the Serbian economy


Key words

ICT, Serbia, uneven development, geographically weighted regression