The interrelation among the ICT access, use and appropriation gaps in the Latin American countries between 2008–2022

Purpose This paper aims to examine the simultaneous relationship between the digital gaps in access, use and appropriation in the Latin American countries. Design/methodology/approach A simultaneous equation model is estimated to control for endogeneity between the variables. The main data source is the United Nations Digital Development Observatory for the period 2008–2022. Findings Results show that while economic growth takes place, inequality in Internet access at home between the lowest and highest income quintiles is reduced. Moreover, the fixed broadband price is significant to explain the ICT access gap, while the mobile broadband price is not. Besides, there is a significant impact of ICT access at home on the ICT use gap. This usage gap depends on both types of broadband suggesting they are complements and not substitutes for internet use. Moreover, economic growth reduces the inequality in the Internet usage gap. Lastly, economic growth is a significant variable to explain higher levels of ICT appropriation. While the access and usage digital gaps are not significant to explain e-government, the access gap is significant to explain e-commerce. Originality/value This research examines whether the ICT access gap is a necessary condition for the ICT usage gap and their subsequent ICT appropriation (e-government, e-commerce). In this way, it differs from other studies that analyze the digital divides individually or separately.