The Internet is a powerful medium that allows information to be posted anywhere in the world. However, with it comes the need for regulating how and why data is used or shared. Internet regulations are laws in place to ensure that data is protected and only shared with those who should be allowed access. This may be in the form of censorship, privacy policies or even blocking websites. It’s essentially what stops people from posting certain types of content online such as racism or calling others names.
Regulation of the Internet is a complex issue as it impacts multiple aspects of society. One of the main issues is that the Internet is not centralized so it can be difficult to regulate. Governments are a good source of regulation as they can set the rules and create laws for the Internet. However, governments are often slow to move and heavy-handed with their approach. This can lead to a lack of trust in the system. It is also hard to regulate the Internet when people can share and post information anonymously which means that they could be sharing fake news or malicious content without being identified.
This article aims to explore the relationship between state Internet regulations and innovation performance using a Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, which incorporates Complexity Theory. It will investigate the various configurations of Internet regulations that affect innovation and creativity, which can be helpful when designing policies to support innovation.