Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development | 2021
Predicting Multi-Generational Technology Adoption Practices in a South African Context
Abstract
Due to rapid technology advancements, people can now communicate easier, improve their quality of life, and expand the learning opportunities. Initial theorization of digital gaps was founded on the diffusion theory, which describes how and at what pace new ideas and technology have and will spread. Further argument was made on the attainment of and access to computer and Internet tools, which is a fundamental criterion for overcoming these gaps and inequalities. The perceptions related to ease of use and usability has had a major impact on acceptance of technology by Generation X, which leads to the widening of the digital gap. This chapter explores the generational digital gap, related to both Millennials and Generation X s perspective on the impact and use of technology as everyday technologies. The factors affecting the digital gap, factors affecting the generational digital gap, and possible means of bridging the gap are explored. The empirical results reveal a significant relationship between attitude towards technology and age for each generation, among others.