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The Spatial Distribution of the Internet in the European Union: Does Geographical Proximity Matter?

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  • Margarita Billón
  • Roberto Ezcurra
  • Fernando Lera-López

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial distribution of the Internet in the European regions. To achieve this aim, our analysis combines a set of non-parametric techniques proposed in the context of the economic growth literature, with various spatial econometric instruments. The results reveal that regional disparities in Internet adoption are greater than territorial inequalities in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In addition, our findings show that the distribution under consideration is characterized by the presence of positive spatial dependence, which implies that physically adjacent regions register a similar degree of Internet adoption. Finally, the analysis carried out allows us to assess the role played by variables such as GDP per capita, unemployment rate, stock of human capital and population density, in explaining the spatial distribution of the Internet in the European Union.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarita Billón & Roberto Ezcurra & Fernando Lera-López, 2008. "The Spatial Distribution of the Internet in the European Union: Does Geographical Proximity Matter?," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 119-142, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurpls:v:16:y:2008:i:1:p:119-142
    DOI: 10.1080/09654310701748009
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    Cited by:

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    3. Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus, 2021. "Determinants of digitalization and digital divide in Sub-Saharan African economies: A spatial Durbin analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(10).
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    5. Ventura, Eva & Satorra, Albert, 2015. "A multiple indicator model for panel data: an application to ICT area-level variation," 26th European Regional ITS Conference, Madrid 2015 127191, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    6. Margarita Billon & Rocio Marco & Fernando Lera-Lopez, 2017. "Innovation and ICT use in the EU: an analysis of regional drivers," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 1083-1108, November.
    7. Liz Price & Jim Shutt & Jessica Sellick, 2018. "Supporting rural Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to take up broadband-enabled technology: What works?," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 33(5), pages 515-536, August.
    8. Adam Sadowski & Karolina Lewandowska-Gwarda & Renata Pisarek-Bartoszewska & Per Engelseth, 2021. "A longitudinal study of e-commerce diversity in Europe," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 169-194, March.
    9. Chun-Hung A. Lin & Ho-Shan Lin & Ching-Po Hsu, 2017. "Digital Divide and Income Inequality: A Spatial Analysis," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 8, pages 31-43, May.
    10. Lutz, Sebastian Uljas, 2019. "The European digital single market strategy: Local indicators of spatial association 2011–2016," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(5), pages 393-410.
    11. Frederico Cruz-Jesus & Tiago Oliveira & Fernando Bacao & Zahir Irani, 0. "Assessing the pattern between economic and digital development of countries," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    12. Meng Qi & Bei Zhang & Junjie Li & Bangfan Liu, 2023. "The Three-Dimensional Analytical and Governance Logic of China’s Digital Divide Bridging Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.
    13. Frederico Cruz-Jesus & Tiago Oliveira & Fernando Bacao & Zahir Irani, 2017. "Assessing the pattern between economic and digital development of countries," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 835-854, August.
    14. 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.
    15. Zhouying Song & Tao Song & Yu Yang & Zhenbo Wang, 2019. "RETRACTED: Spatial–Temporal Characteristics and Determinants of Digital Divide in China: A Multivariate Spatial Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1, August.
    16. Adeoluwa Akande & Pedro Cabral & Sven Casteleyn, 2019. "Assessing the Gap between Technology and the Environmental Sustainability of European Cities," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 581-604, June.
    17. Ruiz-Rodríguez, Francisca & Lucendo-Monedero, Angel Luis & González-Relaño, Reyes, 2018. "Measurement and characterisation of the Digital Divide of Spanish regions at enterprise level. A comparative analysis with the European context," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 187-211.

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