The paper employs a cross-sectional data set comprising the main dimensions of the
European Union's International Digital Economy and Society Index (I-DESI) and utilises
grouping methods based on objective weights to evaluate the relative digital readiness
of Hungary and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) member states of the EU. The
objective was not to establish a total ordering (ranking) of the countries in the
data set, but rather to identify the most appropriate means of grouping the CEE countries
into homogeneous units, utilising multivariate statistical and decision-theoretical
techniques (tiered DEA, partially ordered sets and clustering). Despite the disparate
methodologies employed, the findings are consistent in that the CEE countries (including
Hungary) exhibit a general resemblance to one another and demonstrate comparatively
lower levels of digital readiness than Northern and Western European countries. The
notable exception is Estonia, which exhibits a distinctive level of digital advancement.
