Evaluating a digital divide index in a regional context
| Date | 22 August 2007 |
| Published date | 22 August 2007 |
| Pages | 46-59 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13287260710817683 |
| Author | Paul Beynon‐Davies,Rebecca Hill |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Evaluating a digital divide index
in a regional context
Paul Beynon-Davies
Ecommerce Innovation Centre, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University,
Cardiff, UK and
Rebecca Hill
Department of Continuing Education, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this research is to show that the provision of an increasing range of
remote, electronic access channels by private and public sector bodies is predicated on a critical mass
of citizenry utilising such access channels. However, a major concern is that the increasing use of ICT
for private and public sector transactions is seen as potentially creating a “digital divide” between
those with access to technology and those who do not. This paper adapts an index of the digital divide
documented in previous work and utilises this instrument to analyse the depth and breadth of this
phenomenon in a UK region – Wales.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the construction of a “digital divide index”
(DDIX) for Wales based upon the previous established work of Husing and Selhofer. The DDIX is
applied to data collected as part of a major European-wide project – UNDERSTAND.
Findings – The DDIX situates four citizen segments in terms of internet access and usage – gender,
age, education and income. There are no significant digital divides evident within the Welsh region in
terms of gender and income. However, there are significant digital divides in terms of age and
education.
Research limitations/implications – The DDIX as formulated considers a limited range of
possible dimensions, both in terms of citizen groups and internet access and usage. Other possible
dimensions for consideration are discussed in the paper.
Practical implications – Our application of a DDIX has been useful in highlighting the
multi-faceted nature of this phenomenon within a regional context. Further research is required both to
refine such an important information society metric and to apply it in further domains of analysis.
Originality/value – The paper will be of interest both to academic researchers and policy-makers
interested in understanding and measuring the digital divide.
Keywords Social alienation,Communication technologies,Wales
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The provision of an increasing range of remote, electronic access channels by
government bodies is predicated on a critical mass of citizenry utilising suc h access
channels. However, a major concern is that the increasing use of ICT for private and
public sector transactions is seen as potentially creating a “digital divide” between
those with access to technology and those who do not. The digital divide
fundamentally refers to the phenomenon of differential rates of awareness, interest,
access, skills and use amongst different “customer” segments in society. For instance,
there is substantial evidence to suggest that the lower socio-economic groups in society
are the least aware, the least interested, have the least access to ICT, the lowest levels of
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1328-7265.htm
JSIT
9,1
46
Journal of Systems and Information
Technology
Vol. 9 No. 1, 2007
pp. 46-59
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1328-7265
DOI 10.1108/13287260710817683
To continue reading
Request your trial