Empirical analyses of the digital divide in Germany [Elektronische Ressource] : age-specific and regional aspects / vorgelegt von Katrin Schleife

Technische Universitat Darmstadt¨Empirical Analyses of the Digital Dividein Germany–Age-specific and Regional AspectsVom Fachbereich Rechts- und Wirtschaftswissenschaftender Technischen Universit¨at Darmstadtgenehmigte Dissertationzur Erlangung des akademischen GradesDoctor rerum politicarum (Dr. rer. pol.)vorgelegt vonDipl.-Volkswirtin Katrin Schleifegeboren in Neu Delhi/IndienReferent: Prof. Dr. Horst EntorfKorreferent: Prof. Dr. Carsten HelmTag der Einreichung: 16. April 2008Tag der mundlichen Prufung: 27. Juni 2008¨ ¨Darmstadt 2008D17AcknowledgementsThis dissertationwas developedduring my time at the Centre for European Economic Re-search (ZEW) in Mannheim. While preparing it, I have received much support – throughencouragement and advice – from many colleagues. I would like to thank all who inspiredandcommentedonmywork, whoaskedcriticalquestions, andwhoofferedtheirassistencewith reading and correcting.In particular, I want to thank my supervisor Professor Horst Entorf. He provided me withmany helpful suggestions and comments. I am also indebted to Professor Carsten Helm,who kindly agreed to be my second supervisor.Numerous other people helped to improve the work on this dissertation. I am especiallygrateful to Alfred Garloff who provided me with many detailed, critical, and very helpfulcomments and suggestions on all parts of this dissertation, but also strongly supportedme beyond.