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Assessing the Role of Age, Education, Gender and Income on the Digital Divide: Evidence for the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Anca Elena-Bucea

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Campolide
    Banco de Portugal)

  • Frederico Cruz-Jesus

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Campolide)

  • Tiago Oliveira

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Campolide)

  • Pedro Simões Coelho

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus de Campolide)

Abstract

This paper assesses the digital divide between and within the 28 member-states of the European Union. The analysis comprised four socio-demographic contexts: age, education, gender, and income. Because of the digital divide’s complexity, a multivariate approach was applied - factor analysis with oblique rotation, which resulted in two distinct dimensions: e-Services and Social Networks. To test the significant differences of European Union positioning and European Union disparities, Multivariate Analysis of Variance and Squared Rank Test were computed. Findings show that e-Services adoption is influenced primarily by the education level of individuals, while Social Networks adoption is more affected by individuals’ age.

Suggested Citation

  • Anca Elena-Bucea & Frederico Cruz-Jesus & Tiago Oliveira & Pedro Simões Coelho, 2021. "Assessing the Role of Age, Education, Gender and Income on the Digital Divide: Evidence for the European Union," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1007-1021, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:23:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10796-020-10012-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-020-10012-9
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