Narrowing the age-based digital divide: developing digital capability through social activities

Zhao, Y., Zhang, T., Dasgupta, R. K. and Xia, R. (2023) Narrowing the age-based digital divide: developing digital capability through social activities. Information Systems Journal, 33(2), pp. 268-298. (doi: 10.1111/isj.12400)

Abstract

Healthcare information technologies (HIT) have shown great potential for improving the effectiveness and quality of healthcare services. However, the inequal ability of older adults to use HIT may limit their exploitation of these benefits. To narrow the age-based “digital divide”, this research further develops the concept of digital capability and emphasises the link between older adults and their social context. Based on a qualitative inductive study of 33 participants, who included Chinese patients and their family members, we generate a novel theoretical model for understanding the process by which social activities may shape older adults' digital capabilities. Based on the model, we suggest two strategies that might encourage older adults to engage with HIT. This research contributes to the information systems (IS) literature by strengthening digital capability as a conceptual lens to investigate individuals' engagement with information communication technologies (ICTs). It also extends research on the social context for ICT use by revealing how social processes at multiple levels influence digital capability development. Finally, this study offers practical implications for governments and private sectors to encourage and promote ICT use by older adults.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project is supported by the Major Projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant/AwardNumbers: 72091313).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dasgupta, Dr Rohit
• Authors: Zhao, Y., Zhang, T., Dasgupta, R. K., and Xia, R.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Theatre Film and TV Studies
• Journal Name: Information Systems Journal
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1350-1917
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2575
• Published Online: 14 July 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Information Systems Journal 33(2): 268-298
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence