María Rosalía Vicente

A Multidimensional Analysis of the Disability Digital Divide: Some Evidence for Internet Use

Over the last few years, information and communication technologies have become an essential part of daily life, affecting education, employment, and leisure, among other activities. Nonetheless, many individuals still reap few or no benefits from these technologies, and there are resilient gaps in their use. Within this larger context, the authors examine the Internet digital divide between people with and without disabilities from a multidimensional approach. Rather than analyzing the gap in terms of “haves” and “have-nots,” a range of Internet-related dimensions—affordability, motivation and attitudes, skills, usage, and others—is taken into account.

An empirical analysis of e-participation. The role of social networks and e-government over citizens' online engagement

Abstract The aim of this paper is to further explore the drivers behind the decision of citizens to engage in social and political participation on the internet, since mixed empirical evidence has been found in the literature. Using data from the 2011 survey on the use of information and communications technologies by households and individuals in Spain, the following two types of e-participation are analyzed: reading/giving opinions about social/political issues and signing/taking part in online petitions/public consultations. Relying on an updated version of the resources approach, we investigate as to what extent e-participation is explained not only by traditional participation-related resources (i.e., socio-economic characteristics) but also by digital skills, social networks and the online development of public administrations. Results show that, while online participation is mainly associated with internet-related skills, there is a significant gender gap. Interestingly, the unemployed tend to engage socially and politically online more than the rest of the population.

Some empirical evidence on Internet diffusion in the New Member States and Candidate Countries of the European Union

This article contributes to the line of research devoted to the diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In particular, we analyse Internet adoption in the New Member States (NMS) and Candidate Countries (CC) of the European Union, for which empirical evidence is quite scarce. Results confirm that income, educational attainment and age are the main determinants of Internet use. Nonetheless, there are substantial differences in the impacts of such variables in the nine analysed countries.

What drives broadband diffusion? Evidence from Eastern Europe

Recent studies stress the crucial role of broadband diffusion to enhance economic growth and performance. Therefore, the analysis of the factors shaping its diffusion becomes a matter of special importance. In this context, this article examines the impact of several socio-economic factors on the likelihood of broadband subscription, using a bivariate probit model, and making use of a unique data survey among Eastern European households. This is an area where broadband diffusion is just starting to take off and there is a lack of empirical evidence. In this context, a first interesting point is the fact that certain demographic variables (income and education) appear to be more correlated with Internet access as such than with the type of access. Moreover, the substantial differences in cross-country penetration rates are mainly explained by investments in information and communication technologies together with the level of competition in telecommunications markets.

Are People with Disabilities Losing the ICT Revolution? Some Evidence on European Countries

This paper contributes to the line of research devoted to the diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies. We analyse patterns of Internet diffusion across people with disabilities in ten European countries, a geographical area for which empirical evidence is scarce. Results show that disability status has a significant negative effect on the probability of being an Internet user, even for those with higher income and educational attainment. However, we find no significant relationship between disability and frequency of Internet use. Therefore, it seems that once online the digital divide between people with disabilities and the rest of the population attenuate, at least to some extent.

Exploring the Determinants of e-Participation in Smart Cities

The term Smart City has gained a lot of attention lately. While there is no unique definition of a Smart City, this chapter focuses on governance issues and in particular, on the use of information and communication technologies to facilitate and boost citizens’ engagement in public life and decision-making. Specifically, the aim is to analyze the factors that shape citizens’ e-Participation in Smart Cities. Based on the civic voluntarism model we explore to what extent individual resources, political engagement and access to networks influence citizens’ decision to e-participate. Our findings suggest that e-Participation is mostly explained by citizens’ political interest and external political efficacy, the intensity of their online activity, the number of daily contacts and the degree of involvement in political/civic associations; as to socioeconomic factors, we find that age, educational attainment and labor situation are statistically significant.

Assessing the Economic Potential of Big Data Industries

Information and communication technologies have made possible that data can be collected and processed at rates previously unseen. It is the big data phenomenon, which holds potential to boost innovation and improve productivity growth.

Figuring Figures: Exploring Europeans’ Knowledge of Official Economic Statistics

Abstract Economic issues have been a major concern for Europeans in the last few years. In this context, it is reasonable to suppose that people are aware of the main economic figures regarding Europe. But are they really familiar with them? Do they know what the rates of growth, unemployment and inflation are? The aim of this article is to explore the level of knowledge of these three economic indicators among Europeans. Several regression models are specified and estimated in order to identify the relationship between an individual’s knowledge and their socioeconomic profile, use of the Internet, perceived importance of economic issues and official statistics and trust in them. Cross-country differences are also assessed.

A contribution on the nature and treatment of missing data in large market surveys

ABSTRACT Nonresponse (or missing data) is often encountered in large-scale surveys. To enable the behavioural analysis of these data sets, statistical treatments are commonly applied to complete or remove these data. However, the correctness of such procedures critically depends on the nature of the underlying missingness generation process. Clearly, the efficacy of applying either case deletion or imputation procedures rests on the unknown missingness generation mechanism. The contribution of this article is twofold. The study is the first to propose a simple sequential method to attempt to identify the form of missingness. Second, the effectiveness of the tests is assessed by generating (experimentally) nine missing data sets by imposed missing completely at random, missing at random and not missing at random processes, with data removed.

Determinants of C2C e-commerce: an empirical analysis of the use of online auction websites among Europeans

E-commerce has opened up new commercial opportunities for businesses and consumers. In consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online markets, not only can individuals buy from other individuals but also sell. This article investigates the socio-economic factors shaping individuals’ decisions to undertake C2C e-commerce. By means of a multinomial logit model and a unique data set of individuals across the full European Union, C2C purchasing and selling online patterns are analysed. This is an area where empirical evidence has usually focused on consumers’ purchasing behaviour and less is known about sellers. Interestingly enough, results point out that the profile of sellers and buyers differs greatly, except for gender. Hence, certain socio-economic features, social online networks and the breath of internet use show different effects over e-selling and e-buying. Moreover, cross-region differences in incomes appear to be correlated with consumers’ e-commerce use.