Introduzione

Diffusion and deployment of high-speed Internet and related services are considered a key element for fostering a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and taking advantage of a digital single market for households and businesses and overcome the digital divide . This contribution is bound to explore the link between ICT diffusion and smart growth, putting in evidence how high-tech information technology is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for a true smart development. By means of first-hand quantitative as well as qualitative data deriving from the research project, conducted in Piedmont Region in 2010-12, and also on European and national surveys on ICT diffusion this paper explores to what extent ICT can really induce high intensity knowledge activities and services able to promote social participation and cooperation. The research concerns the case of Piedmont , but the considerations may be of interest to students and scholars , operators of public and private , who want to understand realities that , despite the difficulties have potential positive dynamics and innovative capabilities can meet the challenges of the digital revolution .