Comparing the readiness of two selected rural areas in the Central Bohemian Region for the use of digitalization for local development

This thesis addresses the topic of rural resilience in the context of digitalization, which plays a key role in contemporary regional competitiveness and regional growth. The main objective of this thesis is to identify the readiness of key actors in selected rural areas in the Central Bohemian Region for the opportunities associated with digitalization and to assess its impact on local development. The thesis compares two rural areas with different levels of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. To achieve the objectives of this thesis, three research questions are addressed to analyse the current situation and assess the readiness of rural areas in terms of ICT coverage, digital skills, and availability of digital services. These factors contribute to the effective use of digitalization for local development. The comparison of the two rural areas reveals that, although they differ in the level of ICT infrastructure, they share similar practices and challenges in digitalization. However, the level of digital readiness of the Local Action Groups (LAGs) is not yet optimal. The author proposes a scheme that illustrates the potential of digital capital and its impact on strengthening the resilience of rural areas as one aspect of local development.