Overcoming the digital divide

A conceptual framework

Bibliographic Data

ID22189160
AuthorsRoland Zs Szabo (0000-0002-7961-1298), Roland Zsolt Szabó (Széchenyi István University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume8
Issue16
Pages10082
Publication date2024-12-27
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Infrastructure Policy and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2572-7923 • E-ISSN: 2572-7931
PublisherEnPress Publisher (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.24294/jipd10082
OpenAlexW4405824769
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited10

The digital divide is one of the biggest challenges of our time. There are significant differences in the digital maturity of individuals, organizations/companies and regions/countries, which increase the inequalities between them and result in a persistent and growing digital divide. The digital divide can be attributed to a number of factors, and its scientific definition is constantly evolving. It was first attributed more to technological factors, such as internet speed. Today, economic and social factors, such as the ability to use technology, are increasingly important, both at the individual, organizational and governmental levels. The causes and opportunities of digital divide are explored through this theoretical paper. Different indicator systems have been developed over the last decades to measure digital divide, and their logic can be used to identify the factors of digital divide and to propose a way to bridge the gap. By creating a conceptual framework, the causes of the digital divide can be grouped into three dimensions; (1) structural, (2) cognitive and (3) motivational. Along these three dimensions, proposals can also be made to overcome the digital divide at individual, organizational/company and regional/country levels

Conceptual framework · Epistemology · Sociology · Computer Science · ICT Impact and Policies · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access