Mobile Internet Users Research Articles

Leaving No One Behind: Examining the effect of financial, gender, and digital inclusion on sustainable development

AbstractThis paper analyzes the effects of different dimensions of inclusion toward the attainment of sustainable development in 33 sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries from the financial, gender, and technological perspectives between 2004 and 2021. This study employs the System Generalized Method of Moments given its ability to address potential endogeneity issues, capture the dynamic nature of relationships, and mitigate potential biases while adopting the Driscoll–Kraay standard errors for robustness check. Findings reveal two of the three measures of financial inclusion wield positive and significant effects on sustainable development while credit to the private sector is found to be detrimental. Also, all three measures of gender inclusion (female employment to population, female labor force participation rate, and the number of women holding a seat in parliament) positively influence sustainable development. Contrastingly, the coefficients of digital inclusion (mobile phone subscription and internet usage) were revealed to be harmful to sustainable development in SSA. This paper advocates for increased financial inclusion through financial literacy, customized financial products, and gender‐sensitive financial services. Pertinent are gender policies that address gender norms in addition to the enactment, avowed commitment, and support for affirmative action toward closing gender gaps across all sectors and at all levels.

Cultural values and digital gap: Overview of behavioral patterns.

The study uses different statistical techniques to understand the relationship between variables explaining the digital divide and classification based on The Inglehart-Welzel Cultural Map for 2023. To achieve this purpose variables focusing on Digital Penetration (the percentage of internet and social media users and mobile cellular connections), Operating Systems share (iOS and Android), Device Traffic (laptop/mobile phone-based web traffic) as well as Mobile Commerce variables (bills and payments using mobile internet) were included in the analysis. To minimize any effects arithmetic means of data was calculated.: The results from one-way ANOVA tests indicate significant differences among groups classified by cultural values for almost all measured variables of digitalization. The mean squares and F-values across variables like cellular mobile connections, internet users, and active social media users are significant indicating a shift towards more secular and self-expressive cultural values. The results of the GLM procedure show that significant portions of the total variance in digitalization variables are associated with membership in groups based on the cultural map. This suggests that cultural classifications can explain substantial differences in digital behavior and preferences across populations. Spearman's correlation coefficients showed strong positive correlations between Traditional/Secular values and several digitalization metrics, such as the use of mobile phones or the internet for payments, and negative correlations with others like share of web traffic by device type (mobile vs. laptop/computer). These correlations suggest that cultural values play a substantial role in influencing digital habits and accessibility.

Evaluating the Impact of Network Latency on user Experience in Telecommunication Industries in Ghana

It is evident that the telecommunications industry in Accra, Ghana, has experienced significant growth, aligning with the influx in mobile devices and internet usage. However, the widespread issue of network latency tends to jeopardize and obstruct the overall user experience. This project focuses on assessing the impact of network latency on user experience in telecommunications industries in Accra, Ghana. The aim of this research was to investigate the causes and effects of network latency on user experience and also, evaluate strategies adopted by telecommunications industries to tackle network latency challenges to aid in the improvement of services in the telecommunications industries in Accra, Ghana. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct a survey where data on user experience and network latency statistics, alongside, interviews with industry experts were acquired. By employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis, the study used textual analysis to gain insight from the industry experts. The expected outcome is a comprehensive report that will spotlight the underlying causes, examine the impacts and suggest remedial measures, resulting in implementable steps for enhancement in telecommunications industries. The significance of this project is found in making contribution to the intellectual resource surrounding network latency and its effects on user experience in telecommunications industries in Accra, Ghana. The findings impart understanding to telecommunications industries in Accra, Ghana, facilitating their ability to enhance overall network performance and user experience. In summary, the study pledges a beneficial influence on users, establishing an atmosphere where telecommunications industries in Accra, Ghana provide an ideal and satisfying experiences.

Impact of 5GTechnology on Mobile Internet Usage in Japan

Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the impact of 5G technology on mobile internet usage in Japan. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The rollout of 5G technology in Japan has led to a 35% increase in mobile internet usage, with users enjoying faster speeds and improved online experiences. This enhancement supports high-bandwidth applications like video streaming and gaming, and benefits businesses by facilitating remote work and innovative services such as augmented reality (AR) and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, substantial infrastructure investments are needed to ensure widespread coverage and reliability. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion of innovations theory, technology acceptance model (TAM) & network externalities theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of 5G technology on mobile internet usage in Japan. Practically, businesses and mobile service providers in Japan can leverage 5G to develop and deploy innovative services such as augmented reality (AR) applications, real-time gaming experiences, and immersive virtual communication platforms. Policymakers can develop frameworks that facilitate fair competition among telecom operators while promoting investment in 5G infrastructure.

ICT and Agricultural Development in South Africa: An Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag Approach

The use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) forms a significant component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This study examined the impact of ICT on agricultural development in South Africa utilizing time series data from 1995 to 2022. Agricultural development was measured through agricultural output and agriculture total factor productivity as dependent variables. Traditional factors of production (land, labor, and capital) together with ICT variables (mobile cellphone subscriptions, Internet usage, and fixed telephone subscriptions) were used. Additional variables such as inflation, human development, access to energy and climate change were used. Data analysis was performed using the ARDL approach. The findings revealed that mobile phone subscriptions and Internet usage positively affect agricultural output and ATFP in the short and long run despite having a negative effect through the second lag in the short run. Fixed telephone subscriptions negatively affect ATFP in the long run while affecting output negatively in the short run through the first lag. Land, human development index, access to energy, and capital generally exhibited an increasing effect on both agricultural output and ATFP both in the short and long run through the various models estimated. Climate change and inflation were generally found to affect both agricultural output and ATFP negatively in the short and long run. The study concluded that ICT plays a significant role in promoting agricultural output and total factor productivity growth. Recommendations included that the South African government should promote the digitalization of the agriculture sector through the provision of ICT infrastructure that can be utilized by both smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural producers.

Utilizing the LightGBM algorithm for operator user credit assessment research

Mobile Internet user credit assessment is an important way for communication operators to establish decisions and formulate measures, and it is also a guarantee for operators to obtain expected benefits. However, credit evaluation methods have long been monopolized by financial industries such as banks and credit. As supporters and providers of platform network technology and network resources, communication operators are also builders and maintainers of communication networks. Internet data improves the users credit evaluation strategy. This paper uses the massive data provided by communication operators to carry out research on the operators user credit evaluation model based on the fusion LightGBM algorithm. First, for the massive data related to user evaluation provided by operators, key features are extracted by data preprocessing and feature engineering methods, and a multi-dimensional feature set with statistical significance is constructed; then, linear regression, decision tree, LightGBM, etc. The machine learning algorithm builds multiple basic models to find the best basic model; finally, integrates Averaging, Voting, Blending, Stacking and other integrated algorithms to refine multiple fusion models, and finally establish the most suitable fusion model for operator user evaluation.

Effects of mobile Internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults: evidences from China health and retirement longitudinal study

The rapid development of digital technology has radically changed people’s lives. Simultaneously, as the population is rapidly aging, academic research is focusing on the use of Internet technology to improve middle-aged and older people’s health, particularly owing to the popularity of mobile networks, which has further increased the population’s accessibility to the Internet. However, related studies have not yet reached a consensus. Herein, empirical analysis of the influence of mobile Internet use on the subjective health and chronic disease status of individuals in their Middle Ages and above was conducted utilizing ordered logit, propensity score matching (PSM), and ordered probit models with data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis and reference for exploring technological advances to empower the development of a healthy Chinese population and to advance the process of healthy aging. The health of middle-aged and older adults mobile Internet users was greatly improved, according to our findings. Further, the use of mobile Internet by these persons resulted in improvements to both their self-assessed health and the state of their chronic diseases. As per the findings of the heterogeneity analysis, the impact of mobile Internet use was shown to be more pronounced on the well-being of middle-aged persons aged 45–60 years compared to those aged ≥ 60 years. Further, the endogeneity test revealed that the PSM model could better eliminate bias in sample selection. The results suggest that the estimates are more robust after eliminating endogeneity, and that failure to disentangle sample selectivity bias would overestimate not only the facilitating effect of mobile Internet use on the self-assessed health impacts of middle-aged and older adults, but also the ameliorating effect of mobile Internet use on the chronic diseases of middle-aged and older adults. The results of the mechanistic analysis suggest that social engagement is an important mediating mechanism between mobile Internet use and the health of middle-aged and older adults. This implies that mobile Internet use increases opportunities for social participation among middle-aged and older adults, thereby improving their health.

Research on Consumer Needs of LINE Brand Based on Internet Brand Cultural Code and Touchpoint Design Theory

Brand image design is a personalized image design created based on the recognition of the brand. A complete brand image includes product level, visual level, cultural level, service level, etc. How to help consumers find a sense of brand belonging is an issue that companies should consider. Extending the communication of brand information to various media to achieve comprehensive and in-depth brand communication is the top priority of brand design and communication. With the rapid increase in mobile Internet users, digital marketing of brand image has attracted the attention of more and more enterprises and design companies. The diversification of new media channels has driven the constant growth of mobile brand advertising design. Mobile marketing technology has changed the design model of brand image. The development of mobile Internet has fundamentally changed the traditional way of brand image design. When a brand has a powerful mobile Internet platform, the ways to enhance the recognition of the brand’s visual image and the value of the brand become more diverse. Today, mobile devices have become a necessity for young people. Attracted by mobile new media, young people have rediscovered their self-worth, subverted traditional lifestyles, and become a generation that changes mass consumption behavior. Therefore, we should pay attention to changes in the environment of brand image design, grasp the living habits and consumption needs of consumers, especially young consumers, and analyze the underlying consumer behavior. These are required courses for studying the trends of brand image design and brand strategies under the Internet wave. LINE is an important social software that is popular in Asia, and its unique Internet development model is worthy of study and reference. Especially in Japan and South Korea, where the anime industry is developed, this brand design style based on anime characters is highly sought after by young people. The main focus of this study is LINE’s brand touchpoint design and cultural code. The research methods mainly include conceptual analysis, theoretical research, and comparative research. By analyzing LINE’s touchpoint design, the origin and derivative functions of LINE’s brand design, the roles of LINE’s consumer environment and individual influencing factors in the cultural code, and the analysis of LINE’s consumer needs based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to grasp its Internet brand design strategy and marketing model, so as to provide important insight and reference for the development of other Internet brands.

Work-related mobile internet usage during off-job time and quality of life: The role of work family conflict and off-job control

The unexpected outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to various aspects of society, including education and work practices. Although tremendous progress has been achieved in reducing the severe impact of COVID-19 on education, its repercussions are still apparent in behaviours connected to the workplace and people's views of their general quality of life (QOL). In this research paper, we investigate the relationship between work-related mobile internet usage during off-job time and quality of life considering the mediating effect of work-family conflict and the moderating effect of off-job control. Data were collected from 341 faculty members and the obtained data was analyzed by Smart PLS structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using a cross-sectional research design. The study findings reveal that both work-related smartphone use during off-job hours and work-family conflict significantly and negatively impact the quality of life of faculty members. Moreover, the study identified that individuals with greater perceived off-job control demonstrated better quality of life outcomes despite the challenges posed by work-related smartphone use. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the implications of COVID-19 on work practices and personal well-being. Given the growing reliance on smartphones and digital connectivity in the post-pandemic era, it underscores the importance of recognizing the boundaries between work and personal life. Additionally, it highlights the need for employers and policymakers to establish policies and interventions that promote off-job control enabling individuals to disengage from work-related demands during non-work hours effectively.

Types of communications technology and civil conflict

Why do different types of information and communications technologies (ICTs) differentially relate to civil conflict incidence? We distinguish one-way (radio; television) from two-way ICTs (phone; internet; social media), contrasting technologies enabling one-directional broadcasting against technologies facilitating dialogue. The former predominantly allow rulers to misinform rebels about attainable rents, which, according to our theoretical framework, consequentially reduces conflict potential. However, two-way ICTs primarily help rebels overcome communication and coordination problems, which ultimately increases conflict potential. Strong political institutions are predicted to weaken these relationships but should remain unable to overturn their signs. Empirically, we observe consistent patterns in (i) country-level panel analyses of civil conflict and (ii) individual-level survey responses eliciting anti-government attitudes. Radio and television availability and usage consistently emerge as negative predictors of conflict incidence and anti-government attitudes — but less so under strong political institutions. Opposite results materialize for mobile phone, internet, and social media availability and usage.

Analisis Pengalaman Pengguna Pada Aplikasi Dompet Digital X Menggunakan User Experience Questionnaire

Digital wallet is an application that resides on a smartphone that can be used for transactions without using money cash. Referring to a survey conducted by Global Consumer insight (PwC, 2019), “Along with the growing number of active mobile internet users in Indonesia, the number of mobile payment users has also experienced growth.” One of the factors that influence user interest in continuing to use an application is the user's perception or experience. The purpose of this research is to determine the level of user experience aspects in the current X digital wallet, as well as determine aspects of the user experience that need to be improved using the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). “The population of this research is X digital wallet users using simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using the UEQ Data Analysis Tool. The results of this study were found that the perspicuity aspect got a value of 1.25 or above average. The attractiveness, efficiency, dependability, and stimulation and novelty aspects respectively scored 0.90, 1.01 and 0.80, 0.89 and 0.52 or below average.” The recommendations in this study are expected to become one of the considerations for X digital wallet stakeholders to improve the X user experience. Keywords : Digital Wallet, User Experience, UEQ, UEQ Data Analysis Tool

Construction of a composite fintech index to measure financial inclusion for developing countries

ABSTRACT This study estimates fintech-driven financial inclusion in developing economies across three dimensions: availability, penetration, and usage. To create a new composite fintech index (FI) to measure financial inclusion, we include indicators for mobile money and internet usage, elements often overlooked in prior research. Our dataset, a balanced panel from 2011–2021, is gathered from 40 developing countries. To overcome criticism related to the arbitrary selection of weights in nonparametric methods, we utilize a two-stage Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to construct the FI. We test the robustness of our FI by employing OLS regression and the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation techniques. Our proposed index is the first composite fintech index that is robust and powerful across measuring methods, dimensions, and fintech proxies in developing countries. This versatile index is a functional tool for policymakers to identify gaps in financial inclusion and inform policy responses. In addition, remarkable progress in fintech scores between 2011 and 2021, welcoming the mobile, internet, and agent banking era for developing countries. However, the transition to fintech presents substantial challenges, including the requirements for large-scale investment, financial literacy, and customer protection – issues that policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions need to address.

Pattern of Cybercrime Among Adolescents: An Exploratory Study

Background: Cybercrime is common phenomenon at present both developed and developing countries. Young generation, especially teenagers now engaged internet frequently and they commit cybercrime frequently in Bangladesh. Objective: To assess consequences of cybercrime among teenagers was the motto of the study. Methods and tools: This study was a cross-sectional study, descriptive in nature. Non-probability accidental sampling technique has been applied to select the sample because of the nonfinite population and the sample size was 167. A printed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: The study identified consequences of cybercrime on various aspects of individual and social life such as lack of trust and confidence hinders profitable transaction, economic loss, tarnishing the country reputation towards foreigners, denial of innocent Bangladeshi’s opportunity abroad, loss of life in various ways, inimical to the progress and development in the country, and favor of loss of employment. Respondents thought that social network users are the prime victims of cybercrime (92.8%). Moreover, financial institutions also another victim (82.6%) followed by mobile internet users (80.2%). About 80.2% said that criminals were always on the net, 82.0% told of spend money lavishly, 67.1% in favor of riding the best automobiles, 65.9% for date the most beautiful lady, 62.3% for mainly clubbers, 47.3% on indulged in religious activities and 45.5% in live like kings in the society. Conclusion: The study concluded that consequences of cybercrimes are alarming and increasing day by day. Finally, it is recommending that the private public partnership and execution of existing laws can be controlling this crime along with gray area of social media and net-work.

The Influence of the Instability Factors of Influencer Marketing on Brand Marketing -- Based on the Analysis of Florasis's Influencer Marketing Event

This study explores the impact of the instability of influencer marketing on brand marketing in the context of China's mobile Internet boom. With over 1.08 billion mobile Internet users, social platforms like TikTok have emerged as significant e-commerce channels. Influencer marketing, driven by influencers, plays a crucial role in connecting with targeted consumers. The research focused on the theme "The Influence of the Instability of Influencer Marketing on Brand Marketing," utilizes qualitative methods, particularly the process tracking method in case studies. The chosen case for analysis is the Florasis influencer marketing event. The study combines relevant theories, agenda-setting, opinion leaders, and the SOR model of consumption to investigate instability factors and their impact on brand marketing. Instability factors are classified into subjective factors of the influencer, packaging by the influencers team, and three characteristics of the influencer. The analysis identifies causes and influencing factors contributing to the instability of influencer marketing. The study concludes that the instability of these live streams poses risks and impacts on brand marketing, emphasizing the need for corresponding countermeasures in brand marketing strategies and collaborations with Key Opinion Leaders(KOLs).

Consequences of Cybercrime Among Teenagers

Background: Cybercrime is common phenomenon at present both developed and developing countries. Young generation, especially teenagers now engaged internet frequently and they commit cybercrime frequently in Bangladesh. Objective: To assess consequences of cybercrime among teenagers was the motto of the study. Methods and tools: This study was a cross-sectional study, descriptive in nature. Non-probability accidental sampling technique has been applied to select the sample because of the nonfinite population and the sample size was 167. A printed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: The study identified consequences of cybercrime on various aspects of individual and social life such as lack of trust and confidence hinders profitable transaction, economic loss, tarnishing the country reputation towards foreigners, denial of innocent Bangladeshi’s opportunity abroad, loss of life in various ways, inimical to the progress and development in the country, and favor of loss of employment. Respondents thought that social network users are the prime victims of cybercrime (92.8%). Moreover, financial institutions also another victim (82.6%) followed by mobile internet users (80.2%). About 80.2% said that criminals were always on the net, 82.0% told of spend money lavishly, 67.1% in favor of riding the best automobiles, 65.9% for date the most beautiful lady, 62.3% for mainly clubbers, 47.3% on indulged in religious activities and 45.5% in live like kings in the society. Conclusion: The study concluded that consequences of cybercrimes are alarming and increasing day by day. Finally, it is recommending that the private public partnership and execution of existing laws can be controlling this crime along with gray area of social media and net-work,

Construction of Mobile Internet Value Proposition Model: An Empirical Study Based on Cases and Structural Equation Modeling(SEM)

The pervasive influence of mobile internet is fundamentally reshaping both professional and everyday life, resulting in significant alterations to customer value creation models. Grounded in an extensive literature review, this article employs a causal case study methodology, incorporating in-depth interviews with 57 Chinese mobile internet users, along with observational data. The study aims at illuminate the core essence of mobile internet value propositions, proposing a comprehensive measurement model for assessing these propositions. The empirical validation of this model is achieved through exploratory factor analysis of 87 preliminary questionnaires and confirmatory factor analysis of 902 final questionnaires. This empirical inquiry culminates in the development of a model delineating mobile internet value propositions, which encompasses the following key dimensions: ubiquity (accessibility anytime, anywhere, accommodating fragmented time), convenience (quick access, handy availability, easy operation), individualization (automatic recognition, personalized services, security), and localization (location-based, sending location, and acquiring location).

Analysis of Bilibili's Operating Model and Research on Homogeneous Competition Strategy in the Perspective of New Media

In 2019, it became increasingly difficult for Chinas mobile internet users to grow. Fewer new users were downloading mobile apps, causing the incremental market to transform into a stock market in that major mobile companies started to compete. Against this backdrop of profitability still being a certain distance away, Bilibili could prioritize slightly delaying its core goal of profiting and instead increase its shared revenue and content costs to further enhance its core competitiveness and expand its influence. This article analyzes Bilibilis development environment and trends from two perspectives: macro analysis of Chinas video industry development and micro analysis of Bilibili and other peer companies development. Finally, the article provides suggestions, such as strengthening content innovation, improving user experience, expanding user groups, and building a solid brand image, to create a more promising future for Bilibili. Finally, this article presents a vision for conducting further research and analysis on Bilibili in the future.

Social trust and algorithmic equity: The societal perspectives of users' intention to interact with algorithm recommendation systems

The use of algorithm recommendation systems (ARS), which collect and analyze users' personal data to generate personalized and tailored recommended items, has become widespread in the era of mobile internet. While related literature has focused on privacy issues and trust toward ARS or recommended items, societal aspects such as social trust (toward people and organizations responsible for an algorithm) and algorithmic equity have been overlooked. Drawing on the theory of social trust, we investigate the psychological mechanism between social trust and users' intention to interact with ARS (e.g., click recommended items and continuously use). Based on a survey of young mobile internet users in China, we show that, first, social trust is positively associated with perceived benefits and perceived algorithmic equity, which are further linked to intention to click recommended items and intention to continuously use ARS (i.e., continuance intention). Second, social trust is negatively related to perceived risks, in turn reducing intention to click. Further, algorithm aversion weakens the negative association between social trust and perceived risk. Our study contributes to the ARS literature from the societal aspect, by validating the importance of social trust, demonstrating the key role of perceived algorithmic equity, and examining the trait of algorithm aversion as a moderator in the formation of algorithm-related perceptions. We also offer key practical suggestions for app developers and policymakers, related to algorithmic equity, transparency, and privacy risk of ARS management and regulation.

The Role of Digital Finance in Economic Development: A Cross Country Analysis

Nations having strong infrastructure on digital platform are likely to have more acceleration in digital finance sector and reap the benefits of this sector. The term digital finance means to provide financial services through personal computers, mobile phones or any reliable digital payment system. Digital finance has the capacity to give convenient, inexpensive and firm banking services. Financial inclusion is a win-win situation that is fulfill by digital finance. Sufficient evidences confirms that internet penetration and mobile phones built up sturdy infrastructure for digital finance and thus support in boosting economic development. Therefore, the objective of this research is to examine the impact of digital finance on World’s economic development. By pursuing the fulfillment of objective, this study collected the data of 77 countries from during the period from 2011 to 2021 and adopted two step system Generalized method of moments (GMM) to inspect the effects of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet usage on economic development parameters. Our findings indicate that mobile cellular services and internet uses have better impact on economic growth and per capita income. These findings also proposes some major policy implementations especially for developing countries that they must adopt such policies which make better ground to promote digital financial system and thus move ahead to cashless economies in order to get immense benefits from it.

Does technological progress make OECD countries greener? New evidence from panel CS-ARDL

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impact of information and telecommunication technologies (ICT-proxied by mobile phone subscription and Internet usage) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries from 1990 to 2018.Design/methodology/approachThe Cross-section Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model is employed to address the potential cross-section dependence problem. Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators are used to test for robustness of results.FindingsResults reveal contrasting effects of mobile phone subscription and Internet usage on CO2 emissions. While mobile phone penetration helps mitigate CO2 emissions, Internet usage tends to increase the emissions. Findings show that renewable energy is beneficial to the environment while economic growth is harmful to the environment. The effects of financial development and trade openness seem negligible.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical implications for policymakers. As different proxies of ICT could have contradictory impact on CO2, governments should be cautious against utilizing ICT to mitigate CO2. Findings point to the benefits of renewable energy in alleviating CO2 emissions. Therefore, governments are strongly advised to implement policies facilitating renewable energy consumption.Originality/valuePrevious studies ignored the problem of cross-section dependence which could lead to biased results and cause misleading inferences. This study aims to fill this void in the literature.