Internet usage in African countries: Empirical study on the antecedents of internet usage in developing countries

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Internet usage in African countries: Empirical study on the antecedents of internet usage in developing countries

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Abstract

This research first investigates the relationship between the gross national product and the amount of internet usage (per 1000 people) in the 51 sample countries from Africa. It indicates that the outlier countries in this case, i.e. countries that have an extraordinary high amount (in this case the outliers were all above the best-fit line) of internet users compared to their GDP/capita, from the sample are Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe. After the investigation to find the outlier countries a short description of these countries is given, presenting the relevant data regarding these countries. Furthermore an investigation into the possible relevant factors affecting the number of internet users is done. These factors are found to be: country area, urbanization, trade, GDP composition by sector, education spending, literacy, and the business climate prevailing in the country.

Abstract.
Introduction.
1. Motivation of the research.
2. Research goals and relevance.
3. Problem definition.
4. Demarcations.
5. Report structure.
Sample.
1. Chosen sample.
2. Data gathering and the reliability of data.
3. Sample characteristics.
4. Finding outliers.
Outlier countries.
1. Seychelles.
2. San Tome and Principe.
Possible factors affecting internet usage.
1. Country area, rural vs. urban.
2. Irregular or non-existent electricity supplies.
3. Education spending and literacy rate.
4. Trade (exports/imports).
5. GDP composition by sector.
6. Tourist arrivals & FDI.
7. General business climate.
Analysis and discussion.
1. Factors that influence the high internet usage in Seychelles.
2. Factors that influence the high internet usage in Sao Tome and Principe.
Conclusion.
Appendices.
References.

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[...] Another common factor affecting the high internet usage in these countries is the prevalent business climate. Due to a favorable business environment both of the countries are high recipients of foreign direct investments. In addition, Seychelles experiences a high number of tourist arrivals and a large volume of international trade relative to its population. These factors, in turn, contribute to the increased internet usage and technological development. Furthermore, in case of Seychelles we found that it has a comparatively large spending on education and a large percentage of students which can stimulate schools and institutions of higher education to provide better tools and devices to students among which is internet access. [...]

[...] We will first analyze the factors related to Seychelles and after that move on to analyzing Sao Tome and Principe 5.1 Factors that influence the high internet usage in Seychelles Firstly, one of the most important factors behind the high internet usage in Seychelles is the small area of the country and the fact that it is an island country. The area of the country is the lowest from the whole sample and low area means that cables and other related materials needed to establish internet connections in the country are cheaper and easier to build. [...]

[...] In a bigger picture our aim is to contribute to the discussion of internet as a tool for development and point out factors that influence the internet usage in these specific (outlier) countries Problem definition The problem definition for the research paper is: Which factors influence the internet usage in developing African countries to such an extent that their usage amount deviates significantly from those of others when compared against the economic performance of the country? Research questions The research questions in this research paper are: 1. [...]

[...] Chapter 6 Conclusion 6.1 Conclusion In this paper we analyzed the potential factors that could influence the high usage of internet in Seychelles and Sao Tome & Principe, countries that constituted the outliers after a sample of 51 African countries were plotted on a scatter plot having GDP/capita on the horizontal axes and the internet usage per capita on the vertical axes. Next we gave an overview of the characteristics of the countries in matter by presenting the most relevant information about them that could eventually help our analysis . [...]

[...] (The African Internet - A Status Report) Therefore we expect countries with smaller areas and higher urban percentage to have a higher internet usage per capita Irregular or non-existent electricity supplies Irregular or non-existent electricity supplies are a common feature and a major barrier to use of the ICTs, especially outside the major towns. Many countries have extremely limited power distribution networks which do not penetrate significantly into rural areas. (The African Internet - A Status Report) 4.3 Education Spending & Literacy Rate We consider these two factors very important to be investigated. [...]

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