What Happens after the Rural Broadband Gap is Closed? The Case of Korean Information Network Village

• In Event: Communication Technologies in Intercultural Contexts

Abstract

Having reached 98% coverage in rural areas in Korea, the Information Network Village (INVIL) project focused on building online social networks. The current study examined the impact of public investment in information communication technology on social capital and community attachment in rural areas after broadband infrastructure was saturated. The findings indicated that public investment served a key role for the sustainable development of rural area through increasing social capital and reducing migration intention.

Authors

• KyuJin Shim, Syracuse University

• Seungcheol Lee, Michigan State University

• Robert LaRose, Michigan State University