Analysis of E-Inclusion Projects in Russia, Austria and Switzerland

Purpose: The issue of digital divide is widely discussed in research as well as in practice. Today, especially senior citizens are excluded from the merits of using information and communication technologies (ICT). This paper aims to study municipal projects for an inclusive information society in Russia, Austria, and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper 50 cities are selected from each country studied based on three variables. In each city, all age-related e-inclusion projects are analyzed to find commonalities and varieties. Findings: Results show that in all countries the projects share several commonalities. However, project ideas are not shared internationally. Research limitations/implications: The research is limited by the selection of countries and cities. Future research should compare the results of other countries. Practical implications: Decision makers in municipalities should look for successful e-inclusion projects in other areas, not only nationally but also internationally. Originality/value: This paper presents a first comparative analysis of e-inclusion projects in several European countries. (Contains 4 tables.)