Major structural changes have occurred in the global socioeconomic environment, and a large portion of these changes can be attributed to the transformational power of information and communication technologies (ICT). It is generally accepted that having access to ICT will lead to social development and economic growth. However, the digital revolution does not offer the same opportunities for every individual equally. The digital divide (the gap between demographics and geographic areas with and without access to modern ICT) poses a threat to the outcome. The Covid-19 outbreak has also played a significant role in bringing the issue to the forefront. The analysis of this topic contributes to a better understanding of the issue and will aid those working to close the gap. Thus, this study aimed to revalidate the scale of attitude toward ICT and the impact on the digital divide, and get expert consensus and views for this scale. This study uses the Fuzzy Delphi method with a 7-Likert scale to gather responses from 7 experts in higher learning institutions in Malaysia. A total of 4 key constructs and 20 sub-elements or items of questionnaires were given to experts for evaluation. The Fuzzy Delphi method Logic Software (FUDELO) has been used for data analysis. Triangular fuzzy numbering (triangular fuzzy number) was used to examine the data, and the "defuzzification" process was used to determine each item's ranking. The results show that the level of response and expert agreement on the scale is good. The overall expert consensus score is higher than 75% and the overall threshold (d) value is < 0.2. The results from the defuzzification process show that all items reach consensus and are valid through the expert judgment process. Therefore, the items that have been validated meet the required criteria. This will allow future research on the digital divide to use attitudes towards ICT as factors (determinants) of the digital divide in Malaysia.
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In-Text Citation: (Hashim & Dali, 2022)
To Cite this Article: Hashim, I. M., & Dali, F. (2022). Attitude towards Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Divide: What Academicians Say? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(9), 797– 808.
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