Examining the socio-economic determinants of adoption of the 'Government Gateway' initiative in the UK

This paper empirically examines the impact of socio-economic determinants upon the adoption of a recent UK e-government initiative, the 'Government Gateway'. The data on five socio-economic characteristics was collected employing a postal survey. The findings of this research suggest that the three variables of age, gender and occupation significantly differentiated the adopters from the non-adopters of the Government Gateway, whilst education and income were found to be non-significant. The implications of the findings are discussed in the context of promoting the adoption of emerging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and reducing the digital divide against less privileged parts of the population

Factors affecting e-government adoption in the state of Qatar

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are in their early stages in many developing countries and faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation, adoption and diffusion. Although e-government has increased transparency and improved communication and access to information for citizens, digital diffusion of information is often achieved at high cost to government agencies. Conversely, citizens’ adoption of e-government services has been less than satisfactory in most countries. While studies by researchers continue to outline the most salient adoption constructs, as well as various frameworks and models for understanding adoption, research by independent consultancy/research organisations has produced a host of statistics and league tables of good and bad practices of service delivery. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. This study utilises the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explore the adoption of e-government services in the state of Qatar. 1179 citizens were surveyed to collect primary data. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of the factors adapted from the UTAUT on e-government adoption. Reliability test reported values of the various constructs vary between (0.74) and (0.91). The findings reveal that effort expectancy and social influences determine citizens’ behavioural intention towards e-government. Additionally, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to determine citizens’ use of e-government services in Qatar. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Computer Literacy, Online Experience or Socioeconomic Characteristics – What are the Main Determinants of Internet Adoption and Internet Usage?

In this paper, we analyze the Internet adoption/usage decisions. To this end, we estimate a sample selection model. In the first stage, we analyze whether the individuals have adopted the Internet; in the second stage, we analyze the Internet usage diversity given adoption. We show that low income and less-educated people are less likely to have adopted the Internet, but they do not have a less diversified Internet usage given adoption. Similar results have been highlighted by Goldfarb and Prince (2008). Furthermore, we show that online experience is a powerful explanation of usage diversity, suggesting that the diffusion of information about the advantages offered by the Internet is partly attributable to the use of the Internet itself.Digital Divide; Internet Adoption; Internet Usage; Diversity.

A socio-technical approach to broadband diffusion by SMEs

Technological deterministic theories such as Diffusion of Innovations (DOIs) theory provide a useful view of the diffusion process of new technologies. However, the view provided is limited, as it mainly looks at the supply side of the diffusion process hence, the need for the ability to examine various sides that influence the diffusion of new technologies. The Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) provides an avenue to examine such views. In this paper, we examine the adoption of broadband by Small/Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) using a proposed framework that applies notions from SCOT. An initial application of the framework shows perception gaps among the social groups involved in the diffusion process of broadband. These gaps might explain the slow take up of broadband by SMEs in the UK

Perceived technology clusters and ownership of related technologies: the case of consumer electronics

We contribute to the understanding of how technologies may be perceived to be part of technology clusters. The value added of the paper is both at a theoretical and empirical level. We add to the theoretical understanding of technology clusters by distinguishing between clusters in perceptions and clusters in ownership and by proposing a mechanism to explain the existence of clusters. Our empirical analysis combines qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate clusters of consumer electronics for a sample of Dutch consumers. We find that perceived clusters in consumer electronics are mostly determined by functional linkages and that perceived technology clusters are good predictors of ownership clusters, but only for less widely diffused products.Technology clusters, consumer electronics, innovation

Business school techspectations Technology in the daily lives and educational experiences of business students

Business School Techspectations is the second in a series of reports based on research by the DCU Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre (LInK) at DCU Business School. With its roots in an Irish business school, it is no surprise that LInK’s mission is to strengthen the competitiveness, productivity, innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of the Irish economy. Ireland’s next generation transformation will be enabled by information and communication technologies (ICT) and digital participation by members of Irish society. As a university research centre we have an important role to play in supporting education, industry and government to accelerate this transformation

Household technology acceptance heterogeneity in computer adoption

Technology policy analysis and implementation relies on knowledge and understanding of the "adoption gap" in information technologies among different groups of consumers. Factors that explain the residential "digital divide" also need to be identified and quantified. Through the application of survey data we provide an enhanced understanding of the key factors involved in the choice of residential computer adoption. These choices are analysed using a discrete choice model that reveals that sociodemographic factors strongly influence the adoption of the residential computer. Moreover, we apply the basic findings of the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) into the discrete choice framework heteroscedastically to deepen our understanding of why some households choose not to have computers; above and beyond what may be explained by socio-demography alone. Generally, we find that computer adoption is sensitive to household digital division measures and that the model fit improves with the heteroscedastic addition of the TAM factors. These findings are important for market planners and policymakers who wish to understand and quantify the impact of these factors on the digital divide across different household types, as defined by the TAM model

Universal Broadband: Targeting Investments to Deliver Broadband Services to All Americans

Suggests ways to implement Knight's 2009 recommendation for universal broadband access, including repurposing and distributing existing funds via a transparent, market-based approach and supporting adoption by low-income and other non-adopter communities

Broadband diffusion in households of South Africa

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (p. 272-281).This research attempts to investigate the adoption, use and impact of broadband services from a holistic point of view encompassing the factors influencing the adoption, use and impact of broadband. This study explores the broadband developments in South Africa and discusses the challenges faced in increasing the broadband penetration rate within the country