contextualizing the information society Lupač, Petr creator author. text bibliography enk 2018 monographic eng 1 online resource (xiii, 211 pages) ; cm This book critically reviews existing digital divide research and challenges its core thesis, which posits unequal Internet access as a newly formed source of social disadvantage. The author begins by introducing the building blocks of the information society theory. The book goes on to present a systematic overview of digital divide research - its development, arguments attesting to the social gravity of the digital divide, and current findings on the uneven diffusion and use of the Internet. It evaluates the validity of the theories and concepts associated with digital divide research. The author offers an overview and re-examination of six presumptions and biases found in the prevailing approach to the digital divide. Given that Internet use has, in certain contexts, become an absolute necessity, an alternative approach is proposed, recognizing the indispensability of Internet use as context dependent. The book concludes with a consideration of the implications that this new perspective has for the information society theory and policies as well as for the role of social science in the informatization process. Petr Lupač (Charles University, Czech Republic). Includes index. Includes bibliographical references. Information society Internet Equality Marginality, Social Social Science Sociology General Sociology HM851 .L87 2018 316.4 9781787565470 (e-book) 9781787565494 (ePUB) https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781787565470 https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781787565470 UtOrBLW 180917 20251029120724.0 9781787565470 eng