The UK Geography of the E-Society: A National Classification

Environment & Planning A (in press)

Paul Longley, Richard Webber and Chao Li

Abstract

It is simplistic to think of the impacts of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in terms of a single, or even small number of, 'digital divides'. As developments in what has been termed the ‘e-society’ reach wider and more generalised audiences, so it becomes appropriate to think of digital media as having wider-ranging but differentiated impacts upon consumer transactions, information gathering and citizen participation. This paper describes the development of a detailed, nationwide household classification based on levels of awareness of different ICTs; levels of use of ICTs; and their perceived impacts upon human capital formation and the quality of life. It discusses how multivariate classification of individuals and households makes it possible to provide context for detailed case studies, and hence identify how policy might best improve both the quality and degree of society’s access to ICTs. The primary focus of the paper is to describe how this bespoke classification is developed, but it also illustrates how it may be used to investigate a range of regional and sub-regional policy issues. As such, we illustrate how the classification provides valuable context for study of the ‘E-Society’ and people’s engagement with new information and communications technology. In more general terms we anticipate the likely net benefits of combining the most appropriate methods, techniques, datasets and practices that are used in the public and private sectors.