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Urban–Rural Differences in Internet Usage, e‐Commerce, and e‐Banking: Evidence from Italy

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  • GUIDO DE BLASIO

Abstract

ABSTRACT By reducing the cost of performing isolated economic activities in remote areas, information technology might serve as a substitute for urban agglomeration. The paper assesses this hypothesis using data on Italian households' usage of the Internet, e‐commerce, and e‐banking. The results do not support the argument that the Internet reduces the role of distance. Internet usage is much more frequent among urban consumers than among their non‐urban counterparts. The use of e‐commerce is basically unaffected by the size of the city where the household lives. Geographically remote consumers are discouraged from purchasing goods by the fact that they cannot inspect them beforehand. Leisure activities and cultural items (i.e., books, CDs, and tickets for museums and theaters) are the only goods and services for which e‐commerce is used more in isolated areas. Finally, e‐banking bears no relationship to city size. In choosing a bank, non‐urban customers give more importance to personal acquaintance than do urban clients, partly because bank account holders in remote areas are more likely to have taken out a loan from their bank.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido De Blasio, 2008. "Urban–Rural Differences in Internet Usage, e‐Commerce, and e‐Banking: Evidence from Italy," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 341-367, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:growch:v:39:y:2008:i:2:p:341-367
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2257.2008.00422.x
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    1. Andrea Bonaccorsi & Maurizio Martinelli & Cristina Rossi & Irma Serrecchia, 2002. "Measuring and modelling Internet diffusion using second level domains: the case of Italy," LEM Papers Series 2002/17, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    2. Emilia Bonaccorsi di Patti & Giorgio Gobbi & Paolo Emilio Mistrulli, 2004. "The interaction between face-to-face and electronic delivery: the case of the Italian banking industry," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 508, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    3. Fernando Lera & Margarita Billón, 2004. "The North-South Digital Divide in Information and Communication Technologies Development: the Case for Spanish Regions," ERSA conference papers ersa04p307, European Regional Science Association.
    4. Shane Greenstein & Jeff Prince, 2006. "The Diffusion of the Internet and the Geography of the Digital Divide in the United States," NBER Working Papers 12182, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    2. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Cheng, Long & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2021. "The influence of the built environment on online purchases of intangible services: Examining the mediating role of online purchase attitudes," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 116-126.
    3. Leo Sleuwaegen & Peter M. Smith, 2022. "Who purchases cross-border? Individual and country level determinants of the decision to purchase cross-border in the European Single Market," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 749-785, September.
    4. Colaço, Rui & de Abreu e Silva, João, 2022. "Exploring the e-shopping geography of Lisbon: Assessing online shopping adoption for retail purchases and food deliveries using a 7-day shopping survey," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    5. Mouratidis, Kostas & Peters, Sebastian, 2022. "COVID-19 impact on teleactivities: Role of built environment and implications for mobility," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 251-270.

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