Measuring the Digital Divide: A Framework for the Analysis of Cross-Country Differences

Authors

Nicoletta Corrocher, Research Centre on the Processes of Innovation and Internationalization (CESPRI), Bocconi University, Via S. Mansueto, 5, 20122 – Milan, Italy
Andrea Ordanini, Research Centre on the Digital Economy (I-LAB), Bocconi University, Viale Filippetti, 9, 20122 – Milan, Italy

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

This article proposes a new model for measuring the digital divide within a set of countries or geographical areas. Starting from a series of elementary indicators the methodology groups these indicators into six factors of digitalization and, subsequently, aggregates the factors in a synthetic index called the synthetic index of digitalization. The dispersion in the distribution of the synthetic indexes of digitalization constitutes the measure of the digital divide. This method is based upon a measurement approach, which is different from the ones previously developed, since it uses principal components analysis for aggregating the variables and avoids many of the problems and limits shown by existing models. In the article an application of the methodology is provided within a set of ten developed countries for 2000 and 2001. The measurement framework for the digital divide presented here reveals new policy implications for public institutions and highlights opportunities and risks for managers working in the ‘digital economy’ environment.

DOI

10.1080/02683960210132061

Recommended Citation

Corrocher, Nicoletta and Ordanini, Andrea (2002) "Measuring the Digital Divide: A Framework for the Analysis of Cross-Country Differences," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 17: Iss. 1, Article 3.
DOI: 10.1080/02683960210132061
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol17/iss1/3