The Digital Divide: Current and Future Research Directions - MISRC ...

another theoretical perspective, due to the enormous research interest in understanding
the diffusion processes of ICT innovations, from either a behavioral or a modeling
perspective. The interest in understanding the nature of the digital divide is driven by the
desire in policy circles to take proactive measures to bridge the divide ⎯ hence, public
policy informs much of the analysis of the divide. Technical design is also listed as a
theoretical perspective, since the design of human-computer interfaces, and systems as a
whole, has a direct bearing on the rate of adoption and intensity of use. Finally, the
Research Methods used in research pertaining to the digital divide covers a range of
techniques from simple measurement exercises and case studies to surveys, econometric
analyses, and analytical modeling.
In the following sections, we analyze the recent and current research on the digital
divide noting the theoretical perspectives taken and the research methodologies
employed. This provides a useful lens to suggest further research on each level of
analysis of the digital divide.
3. THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
The term digital divide has most commonly been used to highlight the view that
certain individuals are not able to obtain access to personal computers or the Internet due
to a variety of factors including race, socio-economic status, age, gender, place of
residence, level of education, adeptness with technology, and/or social associations.
While some factors may be beyond the control of the individual, the phrase has also been
applied to those who have an aversion to technology and so choose, for one reason or
another, not to make use of such technologies.
3.1 Antecedents of Research at the Individual Level
As the Internet grew in popularity during the mid-1990s, the digital divide took on
political and public policy overtones as certain groups and policy makers claimed that
some individuals were being left behind in the digital revolution and would have trouble
catching up. This led to calls for public subsidization for access to the Internet through
schools, public libraries, and even financial incentives directly to households [Hoffman
and Novak, 1998]. Just as the government adopted a universal telephone policy in the
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