ICT Adoption in Firms by Using Endogenous Metrics

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the digital divide in Italy and the factors contributing to this situation at both the regional and provincial levels. To do this, we used the registration of Internet domains under the “.it” Country Code Top Level Domain as a proxy. In particular, we analyzed domain names registered by firms. The analysis produced interesting results: The distribution of domains registered by firms in Italian provinces is more concentrated than the distribution related to income and the number of firms, suggesting a diffusive effect. Furthermore, in order to analyze the factors that may contribute to the presence of a digital divide at the regional level, a regression analysis was performed using demographic, social, economic, and infrastructure indicators. The results show that Internet technology, far from being an “equalizer,” follows and possibly intensifies existing differences in economic opportunity in industrialized countries like Italy.

Forecasting internet diffusion in Italy based on the “.it” domain names metrics

“…In Italy, in previous studies, the internet diffusion among individuals (Serrecchia et al , 2005; Serrecchia et al , 2009) and firms (Martinelli et al , 2006), was examined, at regional and provincial level, providing an analysis that attempted to identify its main determinants. However, in these papers the internet has been hypothesized as a static phenomenon, that is, taking into consideration the photograph of the use of the internet at a given date, later demonstrating how some economic, cultural and demographic factors have determined the Digital Divide in Italy, to territorial level (provincial and regional).…”

“…the Holt-Winters (H-W) methods. In this study, domain names are used as metrics to analyze internet diffusion in Italy (Serrecchia et al , 2007). Therefore, in this paper the trend over time of the demand for .it domain names is examined, to assess first whether there is a phase of growth and expansion or at a point of saturation in the internet diffusion in Italy.…”