Digital divide in the major regions of the world and the possibility of convergence

IF 8 Q1 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE Bottom Line Pub Date : 2021-02-02 DOI:10.1108/BL-09-2020-0064
H. Inegbedion
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引用次数: 8

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the inequalities in the usage of the internet and inequalities in the growth rate in the usage of the internet, and thus ascertain the possibility of convergence of the digital divide between the major regions of the world. Design/methodology/approach The design was a longitudinal study of the usage of internet and growth rate in the usage of the internet in the different regions of the world for the period 2009–2019. The quantitative research method was used. Simple percentages and F-test were used in data analysis. Findings The usage of internet in Asia and Europe is higher than all the other regions in the world but there is no significant difference in usage between the other regions. The results further showed that some of the digitally disadvantaged regions had higher growth rates in the usage of the internet and these digitally disadvantage states are not disadvantaged in access to smartphones and the emerging 5G technology, thus suggesting the possibility of imminent convergence in access to the internet given the increasing usage of smartphones for the internet subscription. Research limitations/implications The focus on internet usage in the major regions of the world without recourse to the variability of the usage and growth rate of internet usage within the regions. The dearth of the empirical literature on quantitative research on the research problem was another constraint. Finally, restriction in available statistics on digital divide constrained the use of 2009–2019 as the periodic scope of the study. Practical implications Inclusion of ICT in the school curricula of the component states to acquaint them with information and communication technology (ICT) usage at an early stage, as well as provision of the enabling environment for business to thrive and through a national culture that will encourage businesses to be vibrant, and thus lay a foundation for future convergence. Social implications Enhancement in employment opportunities through the increased investment in the ICT facilities and the subsequent reduction in social vices. Originality/value Use of secondary data through a longitudinal design to categorically indicate the differences between the different regions of the world in terms of internet usage, as well as the empirical determination of the discrepancies between the growth rates in the access to internet and usage of internet by different regions of the world, especially as regard some of the digitally disadvantaged regions having higher growth rates in the usage of the internet than the perceived digitally advantaged regions.
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世界各主要地区的数字鸿沟及其趋同的可能性
本文的目的是调查互联网使用不平等的性质和互联网使用增长率的不平等,从而确定世界主要地区之间数字鸿沟趋同的可能性。设计/方法/方法该设计是对2009-2019年世界不同地区互联网使用情况和互联网使用增长率的纵向研究。采用定量研究方法。数据分析采用简单百分比和f检验。亚洲和欧洲的互联网使用率高于世界上所有其他地区,但其他地区之间的使用率没有显著差异。研究结果进一步表明,一些数字劣势地区在互联网使用方面的增长率较高,而这些数字劣势国家在智能手机和新兴5G技术的使用方面并不处于劣势,因此,鉴于智能手机在互联网订阅方面的使用越来越多,这表明互联网接入可能即将趋同。研究局限/影响关注世界主要区域的互联网使用情况,而不考虑区域内互联网使用情况和增长率的可变性。对研究问题进行定量研究的实证文献的缺乏是另一个制约因素。最后,现有数字鸿沟统计数据的限制限制了将2009-2019年作为研究的定期范围。将信息通信技术纳入各成员国的学校课程,使其在早期阶段熟悉信息通信技术的使用,并通过鼓励企业充满活力的民族文化,为企业蓬勃发展提供有利环境,从而为未来的融合奠定基础。社会影响通过增加对信息和通信技术设施的投资,增加就业机会,从而减少社会不良现象。原创性/价值通过纵向设计使用二手数据,以分类地表明世界不同地区在互联网使用方面的差异,以及对世界不同地区互联网接入和互联网使用增长率之间差异的实证确定。特别是考虑到一些数字劣势地区的互联网使用增长率高于数字优势地区。
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来源期刊
Bottom Line
Bottom Line INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-
CiteScore
9.90
自引率
12.20%
发文量
7
期刊介绍: Because The Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances is written and edited by well respected figures from the librarian community - you can be assured the topics covered will be particularly relevant to you and your library.
期刊最新文献
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