Digitally connected living and quality of life: An analysis of the Gauteng City‐Region, South Africa. Issue 1 (21st December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cohen, Jason; Bancilhon, Jean‐Marie; Grace, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Electronic journal on information systems in developing countries. Volume 84:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-12-21
• Subjects: access -- digital inclusion -- digitally connected living -- exclusion -- quality of life; Management information systems -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Economic aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions; Economic history; High technology industries; Information technology -- Economic aspects; Information technology -- Social aspects; Management information systems; Developing countries; Periodicals; 658.4
• DOI: 10.1002/isd2.12010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1681-4835

Abstract

Abstract: Access to digitally connected living should support social and economic inclusion and provide opportunities for people to improve their quality of life. Yet evidence linking digital access and quality of life is lacking. We contribute by examining the relationship between quality of life and the extent to which individuals have accessed the Internet and whether they own their devices and connectivity. The dataset covers 27 490 individuals living in the Gauteng City‐Region of South Africa. Results show that after controlling for other factors, individuals who are digitally connected exhibit significantly larger scores on quality of life indicators than individuals without access. However, 95% of individuals without access are from households below the median income category, and the odds of access are 9.85 times as large as for above median income than for those below median income. Thus, digitally connected living depends on, and cannot be disentangled from, preexisting opportunities for social and economic inclusion.