Differences in digitalization levels: a multivariate analysis studying the global digital divide

Margarita Billon, Fernando Lera-Lopez () and Rocío Marco
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Margarita Billon: Autonomous University of Madrid
Fernando Lera-Lopez: Public University of Navarre
Rocío Marco: Autonomous University of Madrid

Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), 2010, vol. 146, issue 1, No 3, 39-73

Abstract: Abstract This papers aims to identify and explain the differences in information and communications technologies (ICT) adoption for a sample of 142 developed and developing countries. In addition, we examine the relationships between specific combinations of technologies and the factors explaining them. Although income is a key factor for all country groups, its role is more significant for middle-digitalization countries. Using several multivariate techniques, we detect different patterns of digitalization. The patterns are explained to differing degrees by the type of country, by differences in economic development, and by socio-demographic and institutional variables. Factors such as quality of regulation and infrastructure explain ICT adoption in high-income countries. The ICT combination associated with specific income groups as well as the explanatory variables detected for each of them might be useful to implement the most appropriate policy actions to reduce the digital divide.

Keywords: Digital divide; ICT; Digitalization; Internet; Economic development; Canonical correlation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L86 L96 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10290-009-0045-y

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