Delving Into the Digital Divide: Computer Use Among the Self-Employed in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Areas‪.‬

ABSTRACT There is little question that computers and the internet are changing the way people in our society conduct business as both suppliers and buyers. While rural businesses may have the most to gain from the new marketplace opened up by communications technology, people in non-metropolitan areas frequently have lower levels of accessibility, which could lead to less use of these tools and place them at a competitive disadvantage. This study builds upon previous research on the topic by analyzing data from the March 2003 Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Respondents' answers to questions regarding computer and internet use were compared by sex and location. Overall, several differences were found between the responses of self-employed metropolitan and non-metropolitan men, while self-employed women in these locations gave similar answers.