<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The article aims is to analyze the internet utilization patterns of rural households in selected European Union countries, particularly focusing on Poland, and to assess the specificity and level of differentiation in this area between countries. The study divides European Union (EU) countries into clusters based on the share of rural residents’ using the internet from 2004 to 2022. Employing Ward’s method and k-means clustering with the squared Euclidean distance measure, cluster analysis is used for country grouping. Internet functionalities are analyzed to understand consumer behaviors. The study shows that European countries can be categorized into four distinct groups according to the percentage of rural inhabitants who had access to the internet. Internet functionalities revealed variations in accessing information, scheduling medical appointments, social networking, online courses, and political engagement across these clusters. It was found that digital inequality among rural inhabitants in the EU persists, with varying levels of internet usage and utilization of internet functionalities. The convergence hypothesis suggests that less developed areas experience faster growth in internet usage, potentially reducing disparities. Policies promoting digital inclusion and advanced digital skills training are essential to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. In conclusion, access to internet functionalities, especially in healthcare and education, remains a challenge that requires attention. The study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and socio-economic contexts in understanding digital inequality. This research sheds light on the digital divide in rural EU regions and highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance digital inclusion and improve the quality of life for rural residents.</p>
</abstract>

The article aims is to analyze the internet utilization patterns of rural households in selected European Union countries, particularly focusing on Poland, and to assess the specificity and level of differentiation in this area between countries. The study divides European Union (EU) countries into clusters based on the share of rural residents’ using the internet from 2004 to 2022. Employing Ward’s method and k-means clustering with the squared Euclidean distance measure, cluster analysis is used for country grouping. Internet functionalities are analyzed to understand consumer behaviors. The study shows that European countries can be categorized into four distinct groups according to the percentage of rural inhabitants who had access to the internet. Internet functionalities revealed variations in accessing information, scheduling medical appointments, social networking, online courses, and political engagement across these clusters. It was found that digital inequality among rural inhabitants in the EU persists, with varying levels of internet usage and utilization of internet functionalities. The convergence hypothesis suggests that less developed areas experience faster growth in internet usage, potentially reducing disparities. Policies promoting digital inclusion and advanced digital skills training are essential to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. In conclusion, access to internet functionalities, especially in healthcare and education, remains a challenge that requires attention. The study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and socio-economic contexts in understanding digital inequality. This research sheds light on the digital divide in rural EU regions and highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance digital inclusion and improve the quality of life for rural residents.

The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Development

BEng, MSc, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof. of Warsaw University of Technology

Zagadnienia Ekonomiki Rolnej

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Development"}

The article aims is to analyze the internet utilization patterns of rural households in selected European Union countries, particularly focusing on Poland, and...

The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Development

Published Online: Mar 26, 2024

Page range: 69 - 92

Received: Oct 24, 2023

Accepted: Jan 12, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30858/zer/181136

Keywords
digital inequality, rural inhabitants, internet usage, cluster analysis, internet functionalities

© 2024 Marlena Piekut et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Development

Published Online: Mar 26, 2024

Page range: 69 - 92

Received: Oct 24, 2023

Accepted: Jan 12, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30858/zer/181136

Keywordsdigital inequality, rural inhabitants, internet usage, cluster analysis, internet functionalities

© 2024 Marlena Piekut et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
digital inequality, rural inhabitants, internet usage, cluster analysis, internet functionalities