ACM: a new index to measure the digital divide. (9th December 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandtweiner, Roman; Kerschbaum, Johann; Donat, Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: International journal of electronic business. Volume 6:Number 6(2008)
• Page Start: 590
• Page End: 610
• Publication Date: 2008-12-09
• Subjects: index -- digital divide -- survey -- indicators -- benchmarking -- e-government -- e-democracy -- electronic democracy -- electronic government -- e-business -- electronic business -- e-participation -- electronic participation -- online access -- skills -- motivation; Electronic commerce -- Periodicals; 658.05467805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-6067

Abstract

In developed countries, access to the internet has become, at least hypothetically, possible for everybody. Although access is a precondition for usage, it does not automatically lead to usage. More sophisticated measures are needed to explain the persistent number of non-users. In our paper a new index measure is developed. Based on a representative survey in Austria (N = 529), we reconstruct the DDIX of Selhofer and Husing (2002). Our critique of this index is then used to develop a new index. We argue that, in addition to access, skills and motivation are important components for new internet users.