Does digitalization mitigate regional inequalities?Evidence from China

Regional inequality significantly influences sustainable development and human well-being.In China,there exists pronounced regional disparities in economic and digital advancements;however,scant research delves into the interplay between them.By analyzing the economic development and digitalization gaps at regional and city levels in China,extending the original Cobb-Douglas production function,this study aims to evaluate the impact of digitalization on China's regional inequality using seemingly unrelated regression.The results indicate a greater emphasis on digital inequality compared to economic disparity,with variable coefficients of 0.59 for GDP per capita and 0.92 for the digitalization index over the past four years.However,GDP per capita demonstrates higher spatial concentration than digitalization.Notably,both disparities have shown a gradual reduction in recent years.The southeastern region of the Hu Huanyong Line exhibits superior levels and rates of economic and digital advancement in contrast to the northwestern region.While digitalization propels economic growth,it yields a nuanced impact on achieving balanced regional development,encompassing both positive and negative facets.Our study highlights that the marginal utility of advancing digitalization is more pronounced in less developed regions,but only if the government invests in the digital infrastructure and education in these areas.This study's methodology can be utilized for subsequent research,and our findings hold the potential to the government's regional investment and policy-making.

Analysis of Mobile and Internet Network Coverage: Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves and Concept of Digital Divide in Burundi

Mobile and Internet network coverage plays an important role in digital transformation and the exploitation of new services. The evolution of mobile networks from the first generation (1G) to the 5th generation is still a long process. 2G networks have developed the messaging service, which complements the already operational voice service. 2G technology has rapidly progressed to the third generation (3G), incorporating multimedia data transmission techniques. It then progressed to fourth generation (4G) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), increasing the transmission speed to improve 3G. Currently, developed countries have already moved to 5G. In developing countries, including Burundi, a member of the East African Community (ECA) where more than 80% are connected to 2G technologies, 40% are connected to the 3G network and 25% to the 4G network and are not yet connected to the 5G network and then still a process. The objective of this article is to analyze the coverage of 2G, 3G and 4G networks in Burundi. This analysis will make it possible to identify possible deficits in order to reduce the digital divide between connected urban areas and remote rural areas. Furthermore, this analysis will draw the attention of decision-makers to the need to deploy networks and coverage to allow the population to access mobile and Internet services and thus enable the digitalization of the population. Finally, this article shows the level of coverage, the digital divide and an overview of the deployment of base stations (BTS) throughout the country to promote the transformation and digital inclusion of services.

The Formation Logic of the Digital Divide and Feasible Ways to Cross It:An Access-Based Analysis

How enterprises overcome the digital divide in a digital economy is a topic related to efficiency and fairness.The formation of the digital divide has showcased a certain level of objectivity and is also influenced by the characteristics of enterprises themselves.Based on the model that expands the information and communication technology(ICT)access,concept,we explored the digital divide’s formation logic of the digital divide and feasible ways to cross it.Our findings shed light on its formation logic,which includes elements of the subjective will of enterprises to transform,the fear of transformation,the dependence on development paths,and the cost of using digital technology,all of which have contributed to disparities in enterprises’motivational access.In addition,differences in the construction of digital infrastructure,financial strengths,business models,and heterogeneity in cluster networks have led to differences in enterprises’material access.The absorptive capacity of enterprises has affected their skill access,while the management capability influences the application access of enterprises.We also found that crossing the digital divide requires the joint efforts of governments,markets,and enterprises in the four access dimensions.

A Study of Digital Disconnection Among Older Adults in the Internet Age

With internet and smartphone usage increasing every year,seniors are being exposed to digital media,either actively or passively.To better integrate into the information society for the elderly,efforts are also needed to clarify the causes of their digital disconnection and develop appropriate solutions.In this study,semi-structured interviews are utilized to investigate the self-adjustment and external intervention of the elderly in the age of digital media and to explore the ways,causes,and effects of digital disconnection of the elderly.The focus issue of this study is to clarify the subjective and objective factors of digital disconnection,especially cognitive problems,group influences,and technological access barriers in the elderly population concerning digital devices and the Internet.

Innovation in the Public Sector in the Start-up Nation:Challenges of Technology,Bureaucracy,and Digital Divide

Innovation provides opportunities to all countries,as advancement in technology and globalization of economic markets encourage global competition and increase the role of governments in gaining a strategic competitive advantage while boosting economic growth and productivity.According to the OECD,innovation can make a difference in addressing developmental challenges and providing catalyst for countries to accelerate business processes and practices that improve public service efficiency.The public sector plays a significant role in modern economies and innovation is a necessary condition for improving government services to the public and creating a competitive economy.Israel is known as the“start-up nation”,but innovation policies and strategies relating to the public sector are less developed than those of business innovation due to lack of innovation culture,digital divide,and bureaucracy.The research examines innovation in the public sector in Israel compared to other OECD countries.It is argued that despite the enormous influence of high-tech and start-ups on the economy and gross of national product,the flourishing technology sector has not contributed to other sectors of the economy and the performance of the public service lags behind the private sector in terms of innovation and efficiency.The research concludes that implementing Israel’s success in business innovation into the public sector requires long-run strategic investments and public policies to increase the supply and quality of human capital and infrastructure.The goal should be to narrow digital divide with other developed countries and advance the technological capabilities and productivity of the public service.

Bridging Digital Divide for English Learners at Chinese Secondary Schools

This article reviews the concept of digital divide and particularly discusses the digital divide among K-12 students in rural and urban China,as well as the e-learning strategies initiated by the Chinese government that were designed to minimize this digital divide in China.This article concludes by explaining the issue of skills on effective e-learning and correspondingly making suggestions for English teachers in K-12 schools in China.

Bridging the Digital Divide

She never thought the countryside scene could be so interesting. ＂The ancient farmers＇ houses of these Zhuang minority groups have threefloors--the first is for raising animals like pigs and hens, the second is for people and the third is for storing grain and corn.

桂林中老年群体智慧医疗服务使用意愿调查:基于技术采纳与应用整合理论模型

目的对中老年群体智慧医疗服务使用情况及其影响因素进行调查分析,为医疗机构优化智慧医疗服务、推动中老年群体数字鸿沟治理提供参考。方法在广西壮族自治区桂林市采用线下问卷调查、访谈等方法收集数据,结合技术采纳与应用整合理论模型,使用SPSS 26.0和AMOS 24.0进行不同变量描述统计、单因素分析、不同维度相关分析和结构方程模型路径分析,研究中老年群体在使用智慧医疗服务过程中的影响因素。结果桂林市中老年群体对智慧医疗服务的使用意愿得分为(3.14±0.76)分,除了性别,不同变量对中老年群体的使用意愿差异分别有统计学意义(P<0.05)。中老年群体的绩效期望、社群影响、配合情况对中老年群体使用智慧医疗服务意愿有正向影响,努力期望对于使用意愿的影响不明显。结论桂林市中老年群体智慧医疗服务使用意愿还有很大的提升空间,要从各维度入手提高中老年群体的使用意愿,多方共同努力推进智慧医疗服务的使用。

Factors influencing information inequality in suburban Shanghai

Purpose:This paper aims to analyze the factors that influence information inequality in the suburban areas of Shanghai in an effort to better understand information inequality and find ways to reduce the inequality.Design/methodology/approach:A survey was conducted to gather data from the rural people who received the Shanghai information and communication technology(ICT)training courses and data analysis was based on the 1,200 valid questionnaires retrieved.By using the discrete choice model,we studied the impacts of individual attributes such as gender,age,educational level and occupation and the factors of information inequality such as information skill and the purpose of using information technology(IT)on information inequality in suburban Shanghai.Findings:The most critical factors affecting information inequality of Shanghai suburban residents are educational level and information skill,followed by age and the purpose of using IT.The results show that the purpose of using IT and information skill are the two main aspects of information inequality of Shanghai suburban residents.Differences between individuals,especially in educational level and age,are identified as the underlying causes of the information inequality.Research limitations:Subjects in the sample were limited to those who received training in the Shanghai rural ICT training project.Such a sample limits the generality of the study findings.Practical implications:The study will help enhance our understanding of information inequality and find ways to reduce the inequality.Originality/value:Most previous studies on information inequality were focused on theoretical discussions.This study adds to the limited empirical research done on information inequality and also provides some insights into the ways to reduce the inequality.

Roots of Tomorrow's Digital Divide:Documenting Computer Use and Internet Access in China's Elementary Schools Today

This paper explores China＇s digital divide, with a focus on differences in access to computers, learning software, and the Internet at school and at home among different groups of elementary school children in China. The digital divide is examined in four different dimensions： （i） between students in urban public schools and students in rural public schools; （ii） between students in rural public schools and students in private migrant schools; （iii） between migrant students in urban public schools and migrant students in private migrant schools; and （iv） between students in Han-dominated rural areas and students in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. Using data from a set of large-scale surveys in schools in different parts of the country, we find a wide gap between computer and Internet access of students in rural areas and those in urban public schools. The gap widens further when comparing urban students to students from minority areas. The divide is also large between urban and rural schools when examining the quality of computer instruction and access to learning software. Migration does not appear to eliminate the digital divide, unless migrant families are able to enroll their children in urban public schools. The digital divide in elementary schools may have implications for future employment, education and income inequality in China.

Frugal innovation and the digital divide:Developing an extended model of the diffusion of innovations

Based on diffusion of innovation(DOI)theory and economic consumption analysis as well as the concept of frugal innovation,this study develops an extended DOI model that theorizes the characteristics of the diffusion of frugal information communication technologies(ICTs)and their impacts on the Internet diffusion.This model posits that frugal digital ICTs diffuse more rapidly in developing countries than in developed countries and significantly bridge the digital divide between them.The diffusion of frugal smartphones is investigated as a case of the diffusion of frugal digital ICTs,which provides empirical evidence for the theoretical model presented herein.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Beijing Review:The roundtable is called Spanish and Chinese Companies:Global Partners in a New Economic Model—what is this new economic model about?Jenaro Garcia:Society has three main pillars:civil society,administration and companies.Until now,governments thought they needed to provide for their citizens like small children,and that people did not know how to provide for themselves.My belief is that new technologies are giving power to citizens and governments

Who Benefits More from Online Learning?An Empirical Study on Postgraduates’Online Knowledge-Sharing Behavior

Online knowledge-sharing is the key link to individuals in the digital era.Postgraduates are the core members of the future knowledge-based society.Exploring factors affecting postgraduates’online knowledge-sharing behavior is of significance promoting their fair enjoyment of digital dividends and contributing to the construction of Digital China.However,little literature exists on this topic.This study examines factors resulting in postgraduates’differentiated online knowledge-sharing behavior from two dimensions:social structure and individual initiative.The results of the questionnaire survey of 501 postgraduates show that:First,not all postgraduates are aborigines of the digital age;and structural factors(gender,school type,location,father’s occupation,and father’s education)have a significant impact on postgraduates’online knowledge-sharing behavior.These factors also have a greater impact on the quality of online knowledge-sharing than in a quantity sense.Second,the individual initiative factor(information literacy)also has a significant impact on postgraduates’online knowledge-sharing behavior.It has a greater impact on the quantity of online knowledge-sharing than in a quality sense.Third,there is a Matthew effect under the internet context,and certain effects of structural factors on online knowledge-sharing behavior are indirectly generated through individual initiative factors.Participants with privileged structural status show a higher level of information literacy,which further encourages them to be more active in online knowledge-sharing behavior and facilitates their high-quality production.

A Study of the Effects of the Current InternationalSettlement of Internet

From an economic angle, this paper analyzes and demonstrates theirrationality of the current Internet settlement of Interconnection; then points out that the heavycharges for Internet interconnection from developing countries to the developed country can bethought of as one of the main and key reasons that restrict the balanced development of the Internetin the world, which causes the intensification of 'digital divide', widens the gap between poor andrich countries and further aggravates the disequilibrium of the global economic development; andthus the conclusion is reached : the public policy selection should be made by the wholeinternational society jointly for paying close attention and regulating settlement systems ofInternet interconnection to dwindle ' digital divide ' throughout the world.

The Trickle-dow n Effect of Fin tech Developme nt:From the Perspective of Urbanization

The emergence of a digital divide or a lack of internet access may hinder urbanization and adversely affect growth.However,fintech development can help to improve the accessibility and affordability of financial services,particularly for sections of the population formerly excluded from such services.Improved access is expected to stimulate the growth essential for promoting urbanization,possibly alleviating the negative impacts of a digital divide and creating a trickle-down effect.This paper is among the first to investigate the effect of fintech development on urbanization,as indicated by labor transfer from agricultural to non-agricultural sectors in China.It is found that:(i)the digital divide hindered,while fintech development contributed to urbanization;(ii)the positive effect of fintech development on urbanization affects individuals both with and without access to the internet,yielding the so-called trickledown ejfect and thus helping to alleviate the negative consequences of a digital divide;and(Hi)regarding transmission mechanisms,fintech development helps to generate additional jobs and raise income in non-agricultural sectors,stimulating urbanization even for those without access to the internet.

Social and geographical disparities in Twitter use during Hurricane Harvey

Socialmedia such as Twitter is increasingly beingused as an effective platform to observe human behaviors in disastrous events.However,uneven social media use among different groups of population in different regions could lead to biased consequences and affect disaster resilience.This paper studies the Twitter use during 2017 Hurricane Harvey in 76 counties in Texas and Louisiana.We seek to answer a fundamental question:did socialgeographical disparities of Twitter use exist during the three phases of emergency management(preparedness,response,recovery)?We employed a Twitter data mining framework to process the data and calculate two indexes:Ratio and Sentiment.Regression analyses between the Ratio indexes and the social-geographical characteristics of the counties at the three phrases reveal significant social and geographical disparities in Twitter use during Hurricane Harvey.Communities with higher disasterrelated Twitter use in Harvey generally were communities having better social and geographical conditions.These results of Twitter use patterns can be used to compare with future similar studies to see whether the Twitter use disparities have increased or decreased.Future research is also needed to examine the effects of Twitter use disparities on disaster resilience and to test whether Twitter use can predict community resilience.

Examining the Factors that Influence the Use of Social Media for Disaster Management by Underserved Communities

This study examined the propensity of social media use by underserved communities by drawing on the literature on the digital divide and attribution theory.Specifically,this research explored the factors that can influence the use of social media for disaster management.The study used survey methodology to collect data and partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLSSEM)to analyze the data and test the hypotheses.The results of the study indicate:(1)that the propensity of social media use for disaster management is low for underserved communities;(2)a positive relationship between an individual’s effort and the intention to use social media for disaster management;and(3)a negative relationship between task difficulty and the intention to use social media for disaster management.The study expanded the literature on the use of social media in disaster management.The article also provides both theoretical and practical implications.