Salemink, Koen, Strijker, Dirk and Bosworth, Gary (2017) Rural development in the digital age: a systematic literature review on unequal ICT availability, adoption, and use in rural areas. Journal of Rural Studies, 54 . pp. 360-371. ISSN 0743-0167
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Salemink Strijker and Bosworth.pdf - Whole Document Restricted to Repository staff only 628kB |
Item Type: | Article |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Abstract
This paper presents a systematic review of 157 papers on digital developments and rural development in advanced countries. It focuses on the general conclusions, in order to better understand the potential impacts of the coming Next Generation Access revolution. We distinguish two major strands of research: connectivity research and inclusion research. In the connectivity theme, the conclusion is that there are persistent and growing differences in data infrastructure quality between urban and rural areas. Public policies to promote the availability or improvement of data infrastructure are essentially responsive, and rapidly outdated by market developments. For inclusion, the hampered diffusion of technologies, and the lower average levels of education and skills in rural areas have a negative impact on adoption and use. Generic policies in this field neglect specific local needs. The paradox is that rural communities are most in need of improved digital connectivity to compensate for their remoteness, but they are least connected and included. Future research should therefore focus on specific places and communities – combining both connectivity and inclusion issues – in order to inform ‘customized policies’ for poorly connected and digitally excluded rural communities.
Keywords: | Rural Development, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, Rural Penalty, Next Generation Access, Bmjconvert |
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Subjects: | L Social studies > L721 Economic Geography L Social studies > L726 Cultural Geography |
Divisions: | Lincoln International Business School |
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ID Code: | 18927 |
Deposited On: | 07 Oct 2015 10:09 |
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