Publication: Digitalización en España : evolución, desigualdades y competencias
Authors
Rodríguez Pasquín, Myriam
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Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
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García Luque, Olga ; López Martínez, María
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
Description
Abstract
El objetivo general de esta tesis es analizar el proceso de digitalización social y económica en España en el contexto de la Unión Europea, identificando sus desigualdades y proponiendo orientaciones de política pública. En particular, se priorizan tres ámbitos: a) las disparidades territoriales entre comunidades autónomas, b) las brechas de género a lo largo del ciclo digital -acceso, uso, habilidades y beneficios-, y c) las diferencias en competencias digitales que pueden desembocar en desconexión y desigualdad social. A partir de esta base, se persigue perfilar la población en situación de exclusión digital en España y estimar los factores asociados a su vulnerabilidad. Complementariamente, se busca clarificar los cambios metodológicos recientes que afectan a la medición del progreso digital, con el fin de dotar de coherencia comparativa a los análisis. El propósito último es articular un diagnóstico útil para la toma de decisiones, que combine evidencia empírica robusta y una lectura integral del fenómeno, de modo que la digitalización se alinee con los objetivos de eficiencia, equidad e igualdad en el ecosistema digital.
La metodología integra la revisión bibliográfica y el análisis estadístico de fuentes armonizadas. Se emplean datos de Eurostat y del Instituto Nacional de Estadística, así como información regional de RiojaStat. En cuanto a indicadores, se utilizan: el Índice de la Economía y la Sociedad Digitales (DESI) hasta 2022; los Indicadores Clave de Rendimiento (ICR) derivados de la Brújula Digital 2030 en 2023-2024; el índice Women in Digital (WiD); y el Digital Skills Indicator en su versión actualizada (DSI 2.0). Para la dimensión regional se recurre, además, al Índice de la Sociedad de la Información de La Rioja (IRIS). El análisis combina comparaciones transversales y temporales; normalización respecto a medias de referencia; y medidas de variación (TAV y TMAA). Se aplica análisis clúster para caracterizar grupos regionales, regresión lineal múltiple para explorar la relación entre competencias digitales avanzadas y condicionantes estructurales, y regresión logística binomial para estimar el riesgo de exclusión digital a partir de la Encuesta TIC a Hogares 2023.
Los resultados evidencian que la digitalización en España progresa con intensidad, aunque de forma heterogénea por dimensiones y territorio, presentando fortalezas en conectividad y servicios públicos digitales, pero con carencias en capital humano digital e integración tecnológica empresarial. A nivel regional, Madrid, Cataluña, País Vasco y Navarra lideran, mientras que varias comunidades del noroeste, sur e insular presentan rezagos. La asociación entre renta per cápita y desempeño digital es positiva pero no determinista: la especialización productiva, la innovación y la formación marcan diferencias significativas. En términos de género, se constata la persistencia de brechas a favor de los hombres en habilidades avanzadas y participación TIC, con variabilidad interterritorial. En competencias, el objetivo ICR1 -población con al menos competencias básicas- progresa de forma desigual y aún distante de la meta europea en algunos segmentos. La modelización logística perfila por primera vez con detalle el colectivo en exclusión digital: mayor presencia de personas mayores, con bajo nivel educativo, inactivas o desempleadas y con menor renta. Se concluye que la digitalización, sin intervención correctora, puede amplificar desigualdades previas. Se propone reforzar la gobernanza multinivel y la coordinación de políticas, priorizando capacitación a lo largo de la vida, diseño accesible de servicios, apoyo a pymes y estrategias territoriales diferenciadas. Esta investigación presenta limitaciones, como los cambios metodológicos en los indicadores y la imposibilidad de enlazar series completas; entre sus fortalezas, destaca la combinación de fuentes y técnicas que aportan un panorama integrado y útil para la acción pública.
The general objective of this thesis is to analyze the process of social and economic digitalization in Spain within the context of the European Union, identifying its inequalities and proposing public policy guidelines. Specifically, three areas are prioritized: a) territorial disparities between autonomous communities; b) gender gaps throughout the digital cycle -access, use, skills, and benefits-; and c) differences in digital competencies that may lead to disconnection and social inequality. Based on this foundation, the aim is to profile the population at risk of digital exclusion in Spain and estimate the factors associated with their vulnerability. Additionally, the thesis seeks to clarify recent methodological changes affecting the measurement of digital progress, to provide comparative coherence to the analyses. The goal is to articulate a useful diagnosis for decision-making, combining robust empirical evidence with a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, so that digitalization aligns with the objectives of efficiency, equity, and equality in the digital ecosystem. The methodology integrates literature review and statistical analysis of harmonized sources. Data from Eurostat and the Spanish National Statistics Institute are used, along with regional information from RiojaStat. The indicators employed include: the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) up to 2022; the Key Performance Indicators (KPI), derived from the Digital Compass 2030, for 2023-2024; the Women in Digital (WiD) index; and the updated version of the Digital Skills Indicator (DSI 2.0). For the regional dimension, the Information Society Index of La Rioja (IRIS) is also used. The analysis combines cross-sectional and temporal comparisons; normalization against reference averages; and measures of variation -Annual Rate of Change (ARC) and Average Annual Accumulated Rate (AAAR)-. Cluster analysis is applied to characterize regional groups, multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between advanced digital skills and structural determinants, and binomial logistic regression to estimate the risk of digital exclusion based on the 2023 ICT Household Survey. The results show that digitalization in Spain is progressing strongly, although unevenly across dimensions and territories. Spain exhibits strengths in connectivity and digital public services, while challenges persist in digital human capital and in the business integration of technology. Regionally, Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Navarre lead, whereas several north‑western, southern and insular regions display persistent lags. The association between per capita income and digital performance is positive but not deterministic: productive specialization, innovation, and education make significant differences. In terms of gender, persistent gaps favoring men are observed in advanced skills and ICT participation, with interterritorial variability. Regarding competencies, the KPI1 objective -population with at least basic digital skills- progresses unevenly and remains distant from the European target in some segments. The logistic modeling provides a detailed profile of the digitally excluded population for the first time: a higher presence of older individuals, those with low educational levels, inactive or unemployed, and with lower income. The conclusion is that digitalization, without corrective intervention, may amplify existing inequalities. It is proposed to strengthen multilevel governance and policy coordination, prioritizing lifelong training, accessible service design, support for SMEs, and differentiated territorial strategies. This research presents limitations, such as methodological changes in indicators and the inability to link complete data series; among its strengths, the combination of sources and techniques stands out, offering an integrated and useful overview for public action.
The general objective of this thesis is to analyze the process of social and economic digitalization in Spain within the context of the European Union, identifying its inequalities and proposing public policy guidelines. Specifically, three areas are prioritized: a) territorial disparities between autonomous communities; b) gender gaps throughout the digital cycle -access, use, skills, and benefits-; and c) differences in digital competencies that may lead to disconnection and social inequality. Based on this foundation, the aim is to profile the population at risk of digital exclusion in Spain and estimate the factors associated with their vulnerability. Additionally, the thesis seeks to clarify recent methodological changes affecting the measurement of digital progress, to provide comparative coherence to the analyses. The goal is to articulate a useful diagnosis for decision-making, combining robust empirical evidence with a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, so that digitalization aligns with the objectives of efficiency, equity, and equality in the digital ecosystem. The methodology integrates literature review and statistical analysis of harmonized sources. Data from Eurostat and the Spanish National Statistics Institute are used, along with regional information from RiojaStat. The indicators employed include: the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) up to 2022; the Key Performance Indicators (KPI), derived from the Digital Compass 2030, for 2023-2024; the Women in Digital (WiD) index; and the updated version of the Digital Skills Indicator (DSI 2.0). For the regional dimension, the Information Society Index of La Rioja (IRIS) is also used. The analysis combines cross-sectional and temporal comparisons; normalization against reference averages; and measures of variation -Annual Rate of Change (ARC) and Average Annual Accumulated Rate (AAAR)-. Cluster analysis is applied to characterize regional groups, multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between advanced digital skills and structural determinants, and binomial logistic regression to estimate the risk of digital exclusion based on the 2023 ICT Household Survey. The results show that digitalization in Spain is progressing strongly, although unevenly across dimensions and territories. Spain exhibits strengths in connectivity and digital public services, while challenges persist in digital human capital and in the business integration of technology. Regionally, Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Navarre lead, whereas several north‑western, southern and insular regions display persistent lags. The association between per capita income and digital performance is positive but not deterministic: productive specialization, innovation, and education make significant differences. In terms of gender, persistent gaps favoring men are observed in advanced skills and ICT participation, with interterritorial variability. Regarding competencies, the KPI1 objective -population with at least basic digital skills- progresses unevenly and remains distant from the European target in some segments. The logistic modeling provides a detailed profile of the digitally excluded population for the first time: a higher presence of older individuals, those with low educational levels, inactive or unemployed, and with lower income. The conclusion is that digitalization, without corrective intervention, may amplify existing inequalities. It is proposed to strengthen multilevel governance and policy coordination, prioritizing lifelong training, accessible service design, support for SMEs, and differentiated territorial strategies. This research presents limitations, such as methodological changes in indicators and the inability to link complete data series; among its strengths, the combination of sources and techniques stands out, offering an integrated and useful overview for public action.
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