Do income distribution and socio-economic inequality affect ICT affordability? Evidence from Australian household panel data

Mohammad Afshar Ali, Khorshed Alam, Brad Taylor and Shuddhasattwa Rafiq

Economic Analysis and Policy, 2019, vol. 64, issue C, 317-328

Abstract: The impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on human development depends on the distribution of income and affordability of ICT services. This study explores the responsiveness of ICT affordability to income distribution and socio-economic inequality. Applying a generalised linear mixed model and a random effects model based on Australian household panel data covering 2011–2017, this study finds that gross ICT affordability is positively associated with income distribution and socio-economic inequality. Interestingly, for low-income subgroups, inequality reveals to have a positive impact on ICT affordability, whereas for high-income household, the impact is reversed. These findings provide insights that are useful in the design of policies and strategies to promote ICT affordability and penetration.

Keywords: Information and communication technology; Affordability; Income distribution; Socio-economic inequality; Panel data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D63 O15 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:64:y:2019:i:c:p:317-328

DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2019.10.003

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