Hüsing, Tobias, Hannes Selhofer. " DIDIX: A Digital Divide Index for Measuring Social Inequality in IT Diffusion". IT&Society, 1, 7, (SPRING/SUMMER 2004), Pages 21-38.
Online: http://www.stanford.edu/group/siqss/itandsociety/v01i07/v01i07a02.pdf
Abstract:
This article proposes a relatively simple indicator, DIDIX, that was developed in an EU-funded project to benchmark and track national digital divides within EU member states. Based on the relative diffusion of computers and the Internet in four disadvantaged socio-demographic groups (compared to national averages), the index is intended as a descriptive metric to compare basic levels of inclusion in EU-member states.
Because it reaches lower levels at higher rates of diffusion, however, DIDIX is neither proposed as a way to identify diffusion patterns at an early stage, nor to predict future developments. Its intent instead is to compare the diffusion of technology in at-risk groups with the population average. Results here suggest an increasing North-South gradient of cross-national inclusion prevailing in Europe. Applying the underlying methodology to other than simple access or use variables suggests that more attention should be paid to indexing the various skills and general benefits of IT.
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