Determinants of the digital divide: A study on IT development in Cambodia

The global digital divide is generally described as the inequality in use and ownership of computers and the internet across and within nations. While it is mostly approached from an economic point of view, this article argues for a more inclusive approach. The characteristics of the digital divide, and, thus, what actions are required to close it in practice, seem to depend upon the context of its appearance. Therefore, this article suggests that, in each instance, the distinct nature and context of what is considered digital unpreparedness must be taken into consideration in order to understand the problem and its solutions. This is important as the digital divide seems to limit developing countries in fully using the potential of the internet for poverty eradication and economic growth, as a case study in Cambodia illustrates. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.