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Network Economics and the Digital Divide in Rural South Asia

Author

Listed:
  • Jake Kendall

    (University of California Santa Cruz)

  • Nirvikar Singh

    (University of California Santa Cruz)

  • Kristin Williams

    (University of California Santa Cruz)

  • Yan Zhou

    (California State University, Sacramento)

  • P.D. Kaushik

    (Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies)

Abstract

The concept of a ‘global digital divide’ is now common, and many cross-country studies of determinants of differences in computer and Internet penetration have been performed. The main conclusions and policy implications from these studies are relatively blunt - get richer, have more telephones, and regulate telecommunications better. In this paper, we examine an alternative approach to bridging the digital divide, through organizational innovations that provide low cost Internet access in developing countries, within the existing conditions of income levels, telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory environment. We use survey data from 500 individuals in three South Asian countries, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, to examine factors influencing patterns of computer and Internet use. These individuals were in situations where computer and Internet access has been provided by a developmental agency (government or non-government). We estimate logit and multinomial logit models, using explanatory variables such as income, household size, education, and occupation, as well as infrastructure factors such as quality of electricity supply, and availability of telephones and televisions. Thus we are able to go beyond simple analyses of penetration at the country level, to understand the microeconomics of computer and Internet use in rural South Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Jake Kendall & Nirvikar Singh & Kristin Williams & Yan Zhou & P.D. Kaushik, 2007. "Network Economics and the Digital Divide in Rural South Asia," Working Papers 07-30, NET Institute, revised Sep 2007.
  • Handle: RePEc:net:wpaper:0730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Menzie D. Chinn & Robert W. Fairlie, 2007. "The determinants of the global digital divide: a cross-country analysis of computer and internet penetration," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 59(1), pages 16-44, January.
    2. Stephen Ryan & Catherine Tucker, 2012. "Heterogeneity and the dynamics of technology adoption," Quantitative Marketing and Economics (QME), Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 63-109, March.
    3. Kaushik, P. D. & Singh, Nirvikar, 2004. "Information Technology and Broad-Based Development: Preliminary Lessons from North India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 591-607, April.
    4. Erik Brynjolfsson & Lorin M. Hitt, 2003. "Computing Productivity: Firm-Level Evidence," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 85(4), pages 793-808, November.
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    6. Singh, Nirvikar, 2004. "Information Technology and Rural Development in India," Santa Cruz Center for International Economics, Working Paper Series qt9wj6d6kv, Center for International Economics, UC Santa Cruz.
    7. Jake Kendall & Nirvikar Singh, 2006. "Internet Kiosks in Rural India: What Influences Success?," Working Papers 06-05, NET Institute, revised Sep 2006.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    IT; ITC; Internet; South Asia; Development; Digital Divide;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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