Digital inclusion network building: a network weaving analysis

This paper aims to investigate digital inclusion network building as a mechanism for reducing digital poverty. Analysing a rural digital inclusion network in the UK, and drawing on Network Weaving Theory (Holley, 2013), this case study analyses how people’s roles and places play a big part in both the construction and growth of the network, as well as in the advancements of its initiatives. The contribution of this study is significant. Theoretically, this research builds on the literature on contextual conditions to digital access and adoption and proposes a novel theoretical framework to unpack the complexity of digital inclusion network building - based on Holley’s theory. Results will inform UK regional organisations’ practices for establishing effective digital inclusion networks in post-pandemic, ‘digital by default’, and cost of living crisis times in the country. It will also provide recommendations for national policies to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of digital inclusion provision.