Frugal innovation and the digital divide: Developing an extended model of the diffusion of innovations

Abstract

Based on diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and economic consumption analysis as well as the concept of frugal innovation, this study develops an extended DOI model that theorizes the characteristics of the diffusion of frugal information communication technologies (ICTs) and their impacts on the Internet diffusion. This model posits that frugal digital ICTs diffuse more rapidly in developing countries than in developed countries and significantly bridge the digital divide between them. The diffusion of frugal smartphones is investigated as a case of the diffusion of frugal digital ICTs, which provides empirical evidence for the theoretical model presented herein. Keywords: Frugal innovation, Diffusion of innovation, Information communication technology, Digital divide, Smartphone