Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak and the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforcement have rendered online activities essential. It is essential to emphasise the importance of providing essential internet services and initiatives for internet connectivity to all individuals and groups in Malaysia, enabling effective communication in the new normal. Therefore, this study examines the extent and impact of internet connectivity on the dayto-day routines of marginalised populations. The study aimed to gather data from 300 respondents by conducting surveys among primary, secondary, and tertiary education students and individuals from the working population who fall under low- and mid-income groups. The data were collected using offline and online survey questions to understand the disparities between urban and rural areas. This research finding supports the idea that internet services and efforts to improve accessibility influence people's behaviour when using the internet. The geographical location plays a substantial role in generating disparities between urban and rural regions. Age has a crucial role in shaping the connection between measures to improve internet accessibility and individuals' behaviour in using the internet. This research provides valuable insights into understanding the relationships between internet access options and measures to improve accessibility in emerging communication activities. As such, this research provides insights into the long-term preservation of digital inclusion and policymaking focused on establishing effective systems, services, and support to ensure internet accessibility. As such, this research sheds light on the importance of digital inclusion in rural and urban areas, considering different income groups.
Keywords
- Internet Offerings Search this journal for Internet Offerings (opens in a new tab)
- Internet Accessibility Initiatives Search this journal for Internet Accessibility Initiatives (opens in a new tab)
- Internet Use Behavior Search this journal for Internet Use Behavior (opens in a new tab)
- Digital Inclusion Search this journal for Digital Inclusion (opens in a new tab)
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How to Cite
Govindan, S., Hussin, S. A., Binti Fikry, A., & Hussein, Z. (2025). Facilitating Digital Needs: The Influence of Internet Offerings and Accessibility Initiatives on Internet Use Behavior Among Malaysian Students and Working Communities. Information Management and Business Review, 17(2(I), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v17i2(J).4532
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Copyright (c) 2025 Santhi Govindan, Siti Aishah Hussin, Amily Binti Fikry, Zuhal Hussein (Author)
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Keywords
- Internet Offerings Search this journal for Internet Offerings (opens in a new tab)
- Internet Accessibility Initiatives Search this journal for Internet Accessibility Initiatives (opens in a new tab)
- Internet Use Behavior Search this journal for Internet Use Behavior (opens in a new tab)
- Digital Inclusion Search this journal for Digital Inclusion (opens in a new tab)
Section
Research Paper
Published in
Vol. 17 No. 2(I) (2025)
Digital Economy, Workforce Transitions & Public Health
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Published
2025-06-22
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