Re-conceptualizing the digital divide: a knowledge-based approach

Determining a robust conceptualization of the digital divide has proved to be a difficult challenge for scholars. This paper argues that a knowledge-based approach provides an effective means to understand and develop responses to various forms of disadvantage related to access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In developing this idea one area of social network analysis is used to make the claim that social networks are used by people to configure an ontology to negotiate the uncertainty of their day-to-day existence. It follows then that digital divide factors can be understood in terms of ICT facilitated knowledge development and related processes. The paper investigates this idea by using Nonaka and Takeuchi¿s knowledge management framework to analyze five case study examples.