Frederico Cruz-Jesus

Digital divide across the European Union

Our research analyses the digital divide within the European Union 27 between the years of 2008 and 2010. To accomplish this we use multivariate statistical methods, more specifically factor and cluster analysis, to address the European digital disparities. Our results lead to an identification of two latent dimensions and five groups of countries. We conclude that a digital gap does, in fact, exist within the European Union. The process of European integration and the economic wealth emerge as explanatory factors for this divide. On the other hand, the educational attendance is not proven to be significant, as one would expect.

Exploratory Factor Analysis for the Digital Divide: Evidence for the European Union - 27

Our research aims to analyze the digital divide within the European Union 27 (EU-27). Hence we used a multivariate approach, more specifically Factor Analysis, to study the digital disparities between European Countries. Two latent dimensions on this subject were found. We also found statistical evidence that one of the dimensions on digital development is higher in the original 15 European countries. Therefore, considerable disparities on the Information society were found.

Examining social capital and individual motivators to explain the adoption of online citizen participation

Abstract Online citizen public participation in consultation and decision-oriented processes supported by local governments is a key ingredient for successful digital democracy. As the participatory process is a voluntary activity, social capital, and individual motivation can help to understand citizen engagement in the usage of electronic participatory platforms (e-participation). This study presents and discusses the results of a research model evaluated with 200 respondents who experienced e-participation. The research model integrates a well-known theory of information systems, UTAUT, with the social capital theory, and the individual motivators. We found that, besides the positive effects of UTAUT constructs, such as perceived usefulness, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions on the intention to use e-participation; altruism also plays a role as a driver of the intention to use. Social capital partially impacts on the actual usage of e-participation.

Satisfaction with e-participation: A Model from the Citizen's Perspective, Expectations, and Affective Ties to the Place.

The diffusion and adoption of e-participation contributes to better democracy and more participative societies. Nevertheless, despite the potential benefits of e-participation, the level of citizen satisfaction regarding the use of e-participation and its effects on the continued intention to use have not been widely assessed yet in the literature. This article proposes a conceptual model that integrates the DeLone & McLean success model, that assesses the citizen satisfaction regarding the perception of the e-participation system quality; the expectation-confirmation model for the continued intention to use, which evaluates satisfaction based on the confirmation of ex-post experience on e-participation use and the perceived usefulness; and the dimensions of sense of place, which play a moderator role between the citizen satisfaction and the e-participation use.

Understanding the Adoption of Business Analytics and Intelligence.

Our work addresses the factors that influence the adoption of business analytics and intelligence (BAI) among firms. Grounded on some of the most prominent adoption models for technological innovations, we developed a conceptual model especially suited for BAI. Based on this we propose an instrument in which relevant hypotheses will be derived and tested by means of statistical analysis. We hope that the findings derived from our analysis may offer important insights for practitioners and researchers regarding the drivers that lead to BAI adoption in firms. Although other studies have already focused on the adoption of technological innovations by firms, research on BAI is scarce, hence the relevancy of our research.

Digital divide at individual level : evidence for eastern and western european countries

Abstract The current study explores the digital divide by checking the phenomenon at the individual level. It digs into the individual pattern of adoption and use of a broad set of information and communications technologies (ICT) by introducing a conceptual model combining the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and the five-factor model of personality. By doing so it provides insights on factors affecting technology adoption and the role of personality on individual usage behavior. Most of the UTAUT2 hypotheses are supported, with performance expectancy being the strongest predictor. Openness is a significant predictor of behavioral intention, whereas for usage behavior the significant personality predictors are openness, extraversion, and agreeableness. Moreover, as data were collected in Bulgaria and Portugal, a multi-group analysis revealed significant country differences. The effect of performance expectancy, habit, agreeableness, and neuroticism on behavioral intention, as well as the effect of age on usage, are stronger for Bulgaria, whereas the effect of hedonic motivation on behavioral intention and the effect of behavioral intention on usage are stronger for Portugal.

Understanding individual-level digital divide: Evidence of an African country

Abstract Digital divide, the differential in access and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) represents an obstacle to the information society. This study proposes a new theoretical model based on the extended unified theory of acceptance, and use of technology (UTAUT2), Schwartzs basic values and ICT skills to explore the role of values on ICT acceptance and, examine how these factors explain the digital divide. The research model was tested in the context of a sub-Saharan country (Angola). Empirical results suggest that ICT use is mainly influenced by habit, ICT skills, and benevolence.