Based on the theory of the diffusion of innovations through social networks, the article discusses the main approaches researchers have taken to conceptualize the digital divide. The result is a common framework that addresses the questions of who (e.g. divide between individuals, countries, etc.), with which kinds of characteristics (e.g. income, geography, age, etc.), connects how (mere acces...

Internetliteracyiscrucialtobecomeinformationliterateandforlifelonglearningfortoday’scitizens. However,thereisanidentifiedgendereddigitaldivideinInternetusage,asthemajorproportion ofunconnectedcitizens,especiallyinthedevelopingeconomiesinasiancountriesarewomen.The problemsofthegenderdigitaldividearenotjustlimitedtoconnectivityandinfrastruc...

The digital divide is a phenomenon linked not only to the topic of access to the Internet, but also to the one of usage and usage benefit. In this paper we take a look at the global digital divide concerning Africa, we analyze the situation with the help of macro-data and by discussing specific examples (Ghana, South Africa). We also address suggestions that have been made for closing the globa...

The global digital divide as a concept is intuitively understood by most academicians, politicians and public policy makers. However, to date little empirical work exists to explain differences in per country access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The research that does exists places heavy influence on the impact of country wealth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GD...

This paper presents a comparative study on digital divide between a region and its main metropolitan area. The exercise shows how barriers to technology access and usage may vary in terms of both nature and intensity. The paper also proposes a taxonomy of the different types of digital divides that may be present inside a region.

The Internet provides less benefit to the underdeveloped countries than to the developed ones. This holds true even when network access is similar in both countries. We argue that network access is not enough to reap full benefit from the Internet; therefore, simple universal access to the Internet in underdeveloped countries is not enough to close the breach of the Digital Divide. Keyword: Int...