Country context

Kuwait ranks 56^th in the world for human development (UNDP)
According to the World Economic Forum, Kuwait ranks 1st worldwide for mobile coverage, 2nd in cell and broadband subscriptions and 14th for home computers
Mobile penetration rates are estimated as high as 240% and internet land coverage is 100%, according to the Central Authority for Information Technology
Despite its high levels of digital penetration, and one of the world’s highest per capita Gross National Incomes (GNI) (World Bank), the 2019 World Economic Forum ranks Kuwait as only the 54^th most competitive country
With an expatriate population of approximately 70% (Central Statistics Bureau) and high levels of income inequality, the DiSTO Kuwait project will explore relationships between these extreme offline conditions and the population’s online outcomes

Research overview

The DiSTO Kuwait project comprises the adaptation, validation and implementation of DiSTO’s methodology and framework to the Kuwaiti context, including the development of an Arabic version of its key scales. DiSTO Kuwait's long-term ambition is to collect national-level data using these modified tools to inform local academic and policy discussions. The project also aims to contribute to broader inter-country comparisons by providing data from Kuwait to larger evaluations of global media conditions and social changes.

The project has been developed within two studies: (1) exploratory research which tested preliminary questions and (2) the full study, informed by the findings obtained through the exploratory exercise.

Overview

This first stage involved work on a preliminary subset of DiSTO questions and exploratory cognitive interviews. A special emphasis was given to the methodological challenges of adapting DiSTO’s global tools to local conditions within a Middle Eastern country.

Project activities

A visiting fellowship in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science during which DiSTO’s measurement tools were adapted and translated (including back translation) for testing and validating in Kuwait.
32 cognitive interviews in both Arabic and English were conducted with selected respondents to determine the applicability and their varied understandings of the primary questionnaire. This vital qualitative data showed cultural specificities of engagement with digital media across a range of different socio-demographic groups.
The evaluation of the state of international and domestic ICT data about Kuwait, aiming to identify potential gaps that could be addressed with greater information about digital media use and their outcomes (i.e. the contributions from DiSTO data).

Support

The visiting fellowship for Dr Fahed Al-Sumait was granted by the LSE Kuwait Programme, funded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

Overview

This project represents the first application of the DiSTO methodology to an Arab context, thereby making inroads into the Middle East region where both income and digital inequalities are extreme and digitisation is taking place at a rapid pace.

Project activities

Questionnaire adaptation, translation and validation
Pilot testing and scale refinements, done through pilot surveys with individuals representative of the population
Cognitive interviews
Data collection from a national sample of individuals representing the Kuwaiti population (citizens and expats)

Funding Support

This project is funded by the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Al-Sumait, F & Navarro, C. (2023). Kuwait's Enduring Digital Divide. Socio-Demographic Characteristics Relative to ICT Access, Skills, and Outcomes. LSE Middle East Centre Paper Series.
Al-Sumait, F., Helsper, E.J., Navarro, C. Al-Saif, N., & Raut, N. (2022). Kuwait’s Digital Inequalities Report. From Digital Skills to Tangible Outcomes project report.
Closing the Digital Divide: a Key Step Toward a Knowledge-based Economy. KFAS Magazine July-September 2023.
Al-Sumait, F., Helsper, E. J., & Rahali, M. (2023). Adapting global methodologies to digital inequalities research in a multicultural Arab environment. Convergence, 29(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/13548565231174594
Al-Sumait, F., (2022). Inequalities: The Persistent Obstacle to Kuwait’s Digital Transformation. The London School of Economics Middle East Centre. Available at https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2022/06/29/inequalities-the-persistent-obstacle-to-kuwaits-digital-transformation
Al-Sumait, F. (2018). From Tankers to Tablets: Is Kuwait Ready for a Digital Evolution? The London School of Economics Middle East Centre. Available at http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2018/08/24/from-tankers-to-tablets-is-kuwait-ready-for-a-digital-evolution
Al-Sumait, F. “Evaluating Kuwait’s Digital Ecosystem: A Corresponding Fields Model for digital Exclusion.” The Middle East Studies Association Conference. New Orleans, LA. 2019
Al-Sumait, F., Helsper, E. & Rahali, M. “Cross-cultural complexities in digital inequalities research: A Case Study of Kuwait.” International Association for Media and Communication Research Conference, Nirobi, Kenya. 2021
Al-Sumait, F., Helsper, E. & Rahali, M. “Exploring (and Contesting) the Reproduction of Technological Imperialism: Adapting Digital Inequalities Research to a Multicultural Arab Environment.” British Society of Middle East Studies Conference. St. Andrews, Scotland. 2022
Al-Sumait, F., Helsper, E., Navarro, C., Al-Saif, N., & Raut, N. (2022). “Transitioning from Tankers to Tablets? Assessing Inequalities in Kuwait's Digital Readiness.” Research Seminar. Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dr. Fahed Al-Sumait is an Assistant Professor at the Gulf University for Science and Technology and Co-Pi on the DiSTO-Kuwait research project. His research background is in Communication studies.

Nouf Al Saif is the Research Associate for the DiSTO project in Kuwait, where she is also a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Mass Communication and Media at the Gulf University for Science and Technology.

Cristina Navarro is an Associate Professor of communication at Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. Her research interests include online public relations, social media communication, professionalism leadership and PR competencies, knowledge and skills.

DiSTO Kuwait

Country context

Research overview

Exploratory study

Full project

Publications and Presentations

Research team

DiSTO Homepage