Unravelling digital divides in the Emilia-Romagna region through the poset approach

This study leverages granular DESIER data - a municipal-level adaptation of DESI - to analyse the digital divide across Emilia-Romagna municipalities. Using the poset methodology, this study overcomes the limitations of traditional composite indexes by enabling a detailed examination of digital disparities, intervention areas, and digitalization dynamics from 2022 to 2024. Despite Emilia-Romagna being one of the most digitalized regions in Italy, the analysis reveals significant territorial fragmentation. Municipalities are classified into four digitalization categories from the most to the least digitalized ( Pioneers , Innovators , Explorers , and Beginners ), highlighting pronounced urban-rural disparities and internal gaps. Connectivity emerges as the most influential dimension of digitalization, while population size, urbanization, income, and employment rates are identified as structural factors positively influencing municipal digital advancement prospects. The study highlights the multidimensional nature of digitalization, advocating for balanced, context-sensitive policies to reduce disparities and foster resilience. Despite some limitations, the study offers a replicable framework and actionable insights for promoting inclusive digitalization strategies. • DESI-based analysis of Emilia-Romagna municipalities, offering a replicable framework for studying the digital divide. • Use of poset method to address limitations of traditional composite indexes. • Identification of four digitalization clusters, highlighting urban-rural disparities and internal digital gaps. • Connectivity is the key dimension, while population, urbanization, income, and employment shape municipal digital progress. • Emphasizes digitalization's multidimensionality, advocating for dimension-balanced, tailored policies to reduce gaps.