The impact of digital inequality in achieving sustainable development: a systematic literature review
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
ISSN: 2040-7149
Article publication date: 1 March 2023
Issue publication date: 24 July 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Digital inequality is considered one of the leading causes of socioeconomic disparities nowadays and a barrier to sustainable development. However, a dearth of empirical research has examined the impact of digital inequality in attaining sustainable development. This study aims to systematically review the scientific publications on the impact of digital inequality in achieving sustainable development.
Design/methodology/approach
The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA, 2020) guidelines were followed to carry out the systematic literature review (SLR) using Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google Scholar electronic databases. Numerous inclusion/exclusion criteria were employed to obtain the most relevant literature. Finally, 54 articles were included to prepare the final database and qualitative synthesis was performed using 12 variables.
Findings
While the findings show that there has been a substantial expansion of scientific publications on the focused area in recent years, there is still a lack of empirical and comparative studies; less focus on the offline benefits of online activities were also demonstrated by the results. Moreover, SDGs 04 and 05 were identified as the predominant goals in the literature. Findings further highlighted the importance of an accurate conceptualization of digital inequality.
Originality/value
In general, this study investigates the level of impact of digital inequality on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, it shows the evolution of scientific publications on digital inequality in terms of its contribution when achieving sustainable development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to the editor and the reviewers of the journal who provided useful suggestions and comments to improve the quality of the manuscript.
Citation
Perera, P., Selvanathan, S., Bandaralage, J. and Su, J.-J. (2023), "The impact of digital inequality in achieving sustainable development: a systematic literature review", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 42 No. 6, pp. 805-825. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-08-2022-0224
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited