Do income distribution and socio-economic inequality affect ICT affordability? Evidence from Australian household panel data

Ali, Mohammad Afshar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0831-9046 and Alam, Khorshed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2232-0745 and Taylor, Brad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4375-6206 and Rafiq, Shuddhasattwa (2019) Do income distribution and socio-economic inequality affect ICT affordability? Evidence from Australian household panel data. Economic Analysis and Policy, 64. pp. 317-328. ISSN 0313-5926

Abstract

The impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on human development depends on the distribution of income and affordability of ICT services. This study explores the responsiveness of ICT affordability to income distribution and socioeconomic inequality. Applying a generalised linear mixed model and a random effects model based on Australian household panel data covering 2011–2017, this study finds that gross ICT affordability is positively associated with income distribution and socioeconomic inequality. Interestingly, for low-income subgroups, inequality reveals to have a positive impact on ICT affordability, whereas for high-income household, the impact is reversed. These findings provide insights that are useful in the design of policies and strategies to promote ICT affordability and penetration.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Permanent restricted access to published version, in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts - School of Commerce (1 Jul 2013 - 17 Jan 2021)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Institute for Resilient Regions - Centre for Health, Informatics and Economic Research (1 Aug 2018 - 31 Mar 2020)
Date Deposited:	19 Nov 2019 01:48
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2019 04:43
Uncontrolled Keywords:	affordability; Australia; income distribution; information and communication technology; socio-economic inequality; panel data
Fields of Research (2008):	14 Economics > 1402 Applied Economics > 140202 Economic Development and Growth 14 Economics > 1403 Econometrics > 140304 Panel Data Analysis 10 Technology > 1005 Communications Technologies > 100599 Communications Technologies not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (2020):	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4404 Development studies > 440499 Development studies not elsewhere classified 38 ECONOMICS > 3802 Econometrics > 380204 Panel data analysis 40 ENGINEERING > 4099 Other engineering > 409999 Other engineering not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	B Economic Development > 89 Information and Communication Services > 8901 Communication Networks and Services > 890199 Communication Networks and Services not elsewhere classified B Economic Development > 91 Economic Framework > 9101 Macroeconomics > 910106 Income Distribution E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970114 Expanding Knowledge in Economics
Identification Number or DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2019.10.003
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/37360

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