Factors Associated with Digital Readiness in Rural Communities in Israel

摘要

In the age of the information and knowledge society, digital readiness has become an important element of economical and social development. The Purpose of the study was to assess the level of "digital readiness" in rural communities in Israel and to find factors associated with it. A closed questionnaire designed to measure six different aspects of digital readiness was filled out by 200 people living in four rural settlements. A digital readiness index was composed of these six measures. Additionally, an open questionnaire was rendered to each governing council representative in these communities. Main findings were: reported rate of domestic internet connection and use (60%) was lower than the national average, probably due to a combination of two factors, known in the literature as deterrents of technological progress, namely, the rural nature of the settlements and their remoteness from the center and the unique religious character of the residents. Demographic features found to be associated to at least three measures of digital readiness were: age group, income, education and level of religion observance. Ultra- orthodox respondents were found at the lowest level of digital readiness, probably due to relatively better adaptation of the modern orthodox sector to the internet, unlike the ultra-orthodox one.