Towards a renewed understanding of the complex nerves of the digital divide

Abstract

Past research has provided ample support for the assertion that advancement in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accelerates economic growth. Recently, developing countries are witnessing high growth rates in ICT; nevertheless, the pace of research in this sector is relatively lower than the developed world. Although the digital divide globally seems to be diminished over time, the awareness about the issue is on a continuous rise. Despite vast research in the field, the multidimensional aspects of the term ‘digital divide’ are poorly understood. The majority of the published literature on the digital divide suffers from the lack of a multidimensional perspective on the topic. It appears that the conventional knowledge base on the digital divide has caused confusion in academia rather than clarifications. The aim of this paper is to establish an adequate understanding of the enormous complexity that hides in the term ‘digital divide’. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review consisting of peer reviewed scientific articles was systematically conducted to understand and examine the current trends in the topic. Building on the past peer reviewed research; the present study discusses the multifaceted concept of the digital divide in depth and proposes future courses of action for policy makers.

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