Digital Inclusion on the Agenda : An analysis of the final stage of diffusion of electronic identification in Sweden

Abstract: As digitalisation continues to spread, the impact technology has on society is evident. In Sweden, digitalisation has led to the end of analog options forcing individuals to rapidly adapt to new technologies. For this reason, the diffusion of electronic identification (eID) as a critical technology occurred at an accelerated rate. However, a segment of society remains without access to this innovation. In this study, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with influential eID actors in Sweden to identify factors that impact the diffusion process, with a focus on late adoption. The result of this study shows that collaborations, accountability, biases, compatible technologies, and infrastructure technologies influence the spread of eID. These factors can be identified at an actor level but interact and consolidate on a system level. The above-mentioned findings have implications for innovation diffusion and digital divide theories as well as policy decisions regarding infrastructure technology and the practical requirements for adopting to eID.