TY  - CHAP
AB  - Purpose Although researchers have proposed a shift in digital divide studies toward a focus on Internet use and skills, it is still relevant to talk about access as autonomy of use, as some individuals in both developing and developed countries still face barriers and do not have the freedom to choose how to connect to the Internet.Methodology/approach We look at the relationship between autonomy of use and online interaction with government and the relationship between the latter and individuals’ perceptions of the government. Data for this study was collected in 10 cities in Colombia between August 29 and September 17 of 2012 and represented Colombia’s urban adult population.Findings Results showed that autonomy of use had a positive relationship with online interaction with government. This online activity was positively related with individuals’ trust in government and negatively with perceptions of government corruption.Originality/value Findings suggest that certain uses have a higher probability of emerging as individuals’ environments become saturated with a broad set of connectivity options. Redundant efforts to increase connectivity can be valuable in assisting internet users. Public policy projects focused only on one access alternative might not be as beneficial as those that facilitate more varied types of Internet use. Additionally, the results could be interpreted to mean that that those high-trust individuals who perceive the government as less corrupt, tend to interact online more with it because they are part of an elite which has benefited from the government in some way.
VL  - 12
SN  - 978-1-78635-481-5, 978-1-78635-482-2/2050-2060
DO  - 10.1108/S2050-206020160000012014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/S2050-206020160000012014
AU  - Velasquez Alcides
PY  - 2016
Y1  - 2016/01/01
TI  - Autonomy of Use and Online Interaction with Government
T2  - Communication and Information Technologies Annual
T3  - Studies in Media and Communications
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 249
EP  - 276
Y2  - 2024/04/19
ER  -