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Determinants of Intercountry Internet Diffusion Rates

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  • Phanindra V. Wunnava
  • Daniel B. Leiter

Abstract

This article employs cross‐sectional data from 100 countries to analyze the main determinants of intercountry Internet diffusion rates. We set up an empirical model based on strong theoretical foundations, in which we regress Internet usage on variables that capture social, economic, and political differences between these countries. Our results support past findings that economic strength, infrastructure, and knowledge of the English language positively affect Internet connectivity. In addition to these indicators, the openness of a country, tertiary enrollment, and income equality are found to also have a significant positive effect on Internet diffusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Phanindra V. Wunnava & Daniel B. Leiter, 2009. "Determinants of Intercountry Internet Diffusion Rates," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(2), pages 413-426, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:68:y:2009:i:2:p:413-426
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2009.00634.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicholas Economides & V. Brian Viard, 2010. "The Effect of Content on Global Internet Adoption," Working Papers 10-19, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics.
    2. Monica Răileanu Szeles & Mihaela Simionescu, 2020. "Regional Patterns and Drivers of the EU Digital Economy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 150(1), pages 95-119, July.
    3. P. Guerrieri & M. Luciani & V. Meliciani, 2011. "The determinants of investment in information and communication technologies," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 387-403.
    4. Teklemariam, Mekuria Haile, 2021. "Developing a tailored strategy for mobile applications’ adoption across diffusion levels: A panel data analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    5. V. Brian Viard & Nicholas Economides, 2015. "The Effect of Content on Global Internet Adoption and the Global “Digital Divide”," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 61(3), pages 665-687, March.
    6. Wafa Sassi & Hakim Ben Othman & Khaled Hussainey, 2023. "The determinants of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) adoption : a cross-country study," Post-Print hal-04191489, HAL.
    7. Lüdering, Jochen, 2014. "The measurement of internet availability and quality in the context of the discussion on digital divide," Discussion Papers 65, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Center for international Development and Environmental Research (ZEU).
    8. Wafa Sassi & Hakim Ben Othman & Khaled Hussainey, 2024. "The determinants of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) adoption: a cross-country study," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(2), pages 175-192, June.
    9. Korkmaz, Özge & Erer, Elif & Erer, Deniz, 2022. "Internet access and its role on educational inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5).
    10. Ph.D. Almas Heshmati & Ph.D. Firas H. Al-Hammadany, 2014. "Multinomial Logit Model of Choices of Internet Modes in Iraq," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 4(2), pages 114-135, December.
    11. Krüger, Jens J. & Rhiel, Mathias, 2016. "Determinants of ICT infrastructure: A cross-country statistical analysis," Darmstadt Discussion Papers in Economics 228, Darmstadt University of Technology, Department of Law and Economics.
    12. Li, Raymond & Shiu, Alice, 2012. "Internet diffusion in China: A dynamic panel data analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 872-887.
    13. Dohse, Dirk & Lim, Cheng Yee, 2016. "Macro-geographic location and internet adoption in poor countries: What is behind the persistent digital gap?," Kiel Working Papers 2067, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    14. Teklemariam, Mekuria Haile & Kwon, Youngsun, 2020. "Differentiating mobile broadband policies across diffusion stages: A panel data analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(8).
    15. Szeles, Monica Răileanu, 2018. "New insights from a multilevel approach to the regional digital divide in the European Union," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 452-463.
    16. Feng, Guangchao Charles, 2015. "Determinants of Internet diffusion: A focus on China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 176-185.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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