Purpose

This paper presents a framework to measure the digital divide by considering a more comprehensive index of information and communication technology (ICT) predictors. The authors also address the conceptual and methodological problems in the digital divide field, given that its focus has been shifted from technological access to higher-order divides over the years. The proposed framework is hypothesized and tested in the context of unemployed and underemployed residents in Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a quantitative survey, 302 unemployed and underemployed workers were asked what ICT “access”, “usage” and “appropriation” meant to them. Factor analyses were deployed to identify the underlying, granular dimensions of ICT access, usage and appropriation.

Findings

The factor analyses revealed an interesting breakdown of the main factors of ICT access, usage and appropriation. The authors found that one's purpose for which technology is accessed, used and appropriated determines how each of the levels of ICT assets is defined. Thus, the authors propose new operational definitions for ICT access, usage and appropriation based on the analyses.

Originality/value

This study aims to provide a more robust measure of the digital divide from access, capabilities to outcomes. The authors hope that this framework, besides complementing current digital divide models, can be applied to different types of participants.

中文翻译：

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重新考虑数字鸿沟：从获取到拨款的分析框架

目的

本文提出了一个框架，通过考虑更全面的信息和通信技术 (ICT) 预测指标来衡量数字鸿沟。作者还解决了数字鸿沟领域的概念和方法问题，因为多年来其重点已从技术访问转移到高阶鸿沟。拟议的框架是在新加坡失业和就业不足居民的背景下假设和测试的。

设计/方法/方法

通过定量调查，302 名失业和就业不足的工人被问及 ICT“接入”、“使用”和“拨款”对他们意味着什么。采用因素分析来确定 ICT 访问、使用和拨款的基本、细化维度。

发现

因素分析揭示了对 ICT 接入、使用和拨款的主要因素的有趣细分。作者发现，访问、使用和挪用技术的目的决定了如何定义每个级别的 ICT 资产。因此，作者根据分析提出了 ICT 接入、使用和拨款的新操作定义。

原创性/价值

本研究旨在为从访问、能力到结果的数字鸿沟提供更可靠的衡量标准。作者希望该框架除了补充当前的数字鸿沟模型外，还可以应用于不同类型的参与者。