Worldwide digital divide: influences of education, workforce, economic, and policy factors on information technology

Abstract

The research goal is to analyze the influence of education, workforce, economic, and policy factors on ICT usage, expenditure, and infrastructure in 67 countries. Findings indicate importance of R&D capacity, foreign direct investment, government prioritization of ICT, and math/science education. The findings that technology factors in poorer nations are more strongly associated with foreign direct investment and government initiatives contrast with this and other studies of more prosperous countries. The paper suggests policy steps that can be taken by national governments to foster the effective use of technology and reduce the digital divide including encouraging creative workforce, and emphasizing education, and fostering R&D.