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In its recent report, Falling Through the Net: Toward the Digital Inclusion, The Department of Commerce concluded that digital inclusion in the US is rapidly increasing and that groups that have traditionally been digital ''have-nots'' are now making dramatic gains (www.ntia.doc.gov 2000). However, the report also drew attention to the noticeable divide that continues to persist between people with different demographic characteristics such as age, income, education, ethnicity, and marital status. Although the issue of the digital divide has received extensive coverage, reports and discussions generally highlight only one aspect of the divide; the number of people who are digitally connected and have access to the Internet. What has received inadequate attention is the divide that separates people based on how they use the Internet. From both business and public policy perspectives, this divide has far reaching consequences.The introduction of the Internet into our social system has raised theoretical questions and public policy concerns. One substantive theoretical question relates to factors that explain different uses of the Internet. For example, why are some people more likely to use the Internet for making a purchase and some less? And from a public policy perspective it would be valuable to identify people who are less likely to use the Internet.Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this paper explores relations between demographic variables and the likelihood of making a purchase over the Internet. Understanding these relations can facilitate the development of consumer profiles that can be used to segment and target customers. Similarly, these profiles can provide public policy officials with the information they need to reach people who can benefit from policies that encourage the use of the Internet.Thus, the objective of this paper is to empirically test relations between demographic characteristics and the likelihood of purchasing over the Internet.

This paper examines the effect of economic globalization on human development and argues that the relation between economic globalization and human development is mediated by economic freedom and corruption. Findings suggest that economic globalization affects economic freedom positively and corruption negatively. In turn, economic freedom has a positive effect and corruption has a negative effect on human development. All relations are in the hypothesized directions and significant. Research, business, and public policy implications as well as directions for future research are presented. The benefits of globalization are obvious: faster growth, higher standards of living, and new opportunities. Kofi Annan, 2001. Globalization is an emotional word. It evokes strong reactions among exponents as well as opponents of globalization. While the former group equates globalization with higher living standards, greater transparency, and increased economic freedom, the latter associates it with economic exploitation, environmental degradation, and cultural homogenization. The controversies surrounding the effects of globalization reached a pinnacle when, during the World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings in Seattle, USA (November 29-December 3, 1999) and in Genoa, Italy (July 19-24, 2001), a variety of interest groups challenged the legitimacy of globalization and protested against what they considered to be its direct and collateral effects. The WTO considers the opposition to globalization a serious development. To avoid confrontation with the anti-globalization groups and also because of the reluctance of developed economies to host the WTO, the WTO held its recent meeting in Doha, Qatar (November 12-14, 2001). The anti-globalization groups have been successful in reaching out to the general public. They have put together a coherent case for their position, drawing attention to issues such as the use of child labor in less developed economies, the indifference of pharmaceutical companies to the spread of AIDS and of the developed countries to the burden of third-world debt. These concerns about globalization have sparked heated debates among different segments of society. It is generally agreed that the nature and outcome of these debates will influence the progress of globalization. Globalization, as Weisbrot, Naiman, and Kim (2001) note, is not an inevitable outcome, but the result of the laborious process of rule making.

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effects of internet self-efficacy and internet involvement on privacy concern and the effect of privacy concern on the frequency of online transactions. The study also seeks to examine the direct effect of internet self-efficacy and internet involvement on the frequency of online transactions. Design/methodology/approach – A structural equation model was developed to test the hypotheses. The model was tested using the LISREL 8.8 software and both structural and measurement parameters were estimated. Findings – Findings suggest that internet self-efficacy and internet involvement affect privacy concern negatively; and privacy concern, in turn, affects frequency of online transactions negatively. Findings also indicate that the direct effect of internet self-efficacy and internet involvement on the frequency of online transactions is positive. All parameters are significant and in the hypothesized direction. Practical implications – Findings highlight the significance of internet self-efficacy and internet involvement in explaining both privacy concern and online transactions. The negative impact of privacy concern shows strategically why businesses should take measures to protect privacy of consumers and assure them that the information they provide is protected and secure. Originality/value – This research contributes to the debate on privacy concern and adds to the growing body of literature on the impact of privacy concern on online transactions. Both antecedents and consequence of privacy concern are examined in the study.

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