Trailblazers and laggards in internet sophistication among rural society: Empirical evidence from Malaysia

Studies have shown that more sophisticated internet users are able to reap better socioeconomic benefits from the internet in a knowledge economy. Using a sample of 1020 respondents from four diverse rural areas in Malaysia and the Ordinal Probit Model, this study examine the key determinants that impact internet sophistication among rural communities in Malaysia. The empirical analysis shows that the type of rural communities, ethnicity, education, type of occupation and language proficiency have significant effect on the internet sophistication level among rural communities in Malaysia. Based on the empirical results the trailblazers and laggards in internet use in these communities are identified. Key policies to enhance the level of internet sophistication among Malaysian rural society are discussed in the paper.