A visual uptake on the digital divide

Abstract

Factors found to influence the adoption of ICT have been explored in several studies. However, few writers have been able to produce any systematic research into the digital divide. Although, differences of opinion still exist, a growing body of literature has established that income and education are positively related to digitalization patterns. This research attempts to deepen the understanding of the present ambiguous relationship between socio-economic indicators and the ICT. This account tested the links between socio-economic variables (GDP per capita, GINI index, World Bank Education Statistics, and Transparency International’s corruption perception index) and ICT diffusion across developed and developing countries. Positive correlations were found for income and ICT, education and ICT. A negative correlation was found between corruption and ICT adoption. The paper discusses implication of these findings and suggests future courses of actions for policy makers. Proceeding from the findings of this paper, this research suggests there is an urgent need to address the digital divide by initiating impactful efforts to reduce it.