Title: A myriad of digital divides: a global comparison of internet and cellular divides

Authors: Christine Bernadas; Jacques Verville; John Burton

Addresses: EM Normandie, 25 Boulevard de la République, 14800 Deauville, France. ' School of Business, Auburn University – Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA. ' Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia – Okanagan, 3333 University Drive, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada

Abstract: Digital divide refers to |inequalities| in access and use of information-communication technologies (ICT). This research classifies internet and cellular divides globally. Cluster analysis and a two-step classification process in organising data from 155 countries are used. Countries are classified by level of digital access then by digital access. This research shows that the importance of digital access is less pronounced for the internet than cellular use. Countries with lower access appear more homogeneous than those with a higher level. Finally, we show that the digital divide is relative to both the country and the type of technology studied.

Keywords: digital divide; intercultural information management; cluster analysis; classification; internet; cell phones; mobile phones; cross-country comparison; ICT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIIM.2012.044459

International Journal of Intercultural Information Management, 2012 Vol.3 No.1, pp.15 - 44

Published online: 02 Sep 2014 *

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