Intermunicipal Differences in the Digital Pereptiveness of the Population

Abstract

The growth in the number of Internet and cell phone users had a global impact on social processes. Digitalization has become a new factor forming the world landscape and social stratification. However, the prevailing determinism of the socio-economic and technological causes of the digital divide does not contribute to general understanding of the individual causes and local conditions of digitalization. The purpose of this article is to assess the spatial heterogeneity of digitalization, focusing on the search for territorial differences in the ability and readiness of the population to widely master digital technologies and incorporate them into daily routine. The study bases on a survey of 876 residents of 22 municipalities of the Kaliningrad region (August 2020). The author determines similarities and differences between the center and the periphery in the susceptibility of the population to digital technologies, local digital services, online community, and digital communications. The estimates reveal high demand for digital services maintaining common routines (paying bills, receiving public services, checking social networks, etc.), that is evenly distributed across regions. At the same time, the data show territorial differences in the dissemination of personality-oriented digital technologies and services, as well as of local digital services that depend on regional infrastructure and labor market. In conclusion, the author suggests practical recommendations aimed at strengthening the ties between Kaliningrad and other municipalities of the region based on the wider introduction of digital technologies and their endorsement with analogue solutions.

Acknowledgements. The study was funded by RFBR and EISR within the research project № 20-011-32062.