| This study was designed to explore the relations between some aspects of the global digital and human development over the last decade, using an analytical framework which includes factors considered to have an impact on national development suggested by theory and practice. The operational definition of the global digital divide linked access, adaptation and creation of information and knowledge via the use of digital information and communication technologies to national development processes, within a demographic, economic, political and social context. The methodology carried out to analyze the relations between the global digital divide and national development included the construction of a quantitative model for 174 developed and developing countries which explained more than 91% of the variability in development in 1997 in terms of the national info tech infrastructure, and another quantitative model which explained more than 43% of the changes in development over the last decade in terms of the national core computing and network capacity. Findings from the study suggest the existence of an S-shaped curve depicting differences between inadequate, weak, medium and strong national info tech infrastructures. In conclusion, the existence of a significant, strong and positive relation between national core computing and network capacity and progress in national development in developing countries over the last decade suggests that this single factor will play an increasingly important role in the near future. |
