Social Impacts of Digital Divide on Developing Countries - Report Example

Social Impacts of Digital Divide on Developing countries Name: Student Number: Course Title: Lecturer: Date: Executive summary Developing countries and developed countries are at a dependency whereby the globalization in terms of economy in increasing rapidly, the use of skills and knowledge with the current technology is making the developed and developing to have a close relation. Resources in the developed countries are getting scarcer; this has made them to go for resources such as knowledge and skills to in the developing countries because they are available and cheaper. The main engine for development is knowledge that is being shared and used desperately. This paper is addressing the issue on the social impacts of digital divide especially on developing countries (Kim, & Lee, 2010). Table of Contents Executive summary 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Investment in ICT 3 Factors affecting diffusion of Internet and ICT 5 ICT role in product development 6 Financial investments in ICT 7 Theories and frameworks 8 Analysis 10 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 12 Introduction The interdependence between people and organizations has improved with the increasing globalization experienced in different countries. Accessibility of information, expertise and knowledge are the main components within the knowledge economy. The chances of survival are increased through literacy information. This factor is considered paramount within the interconnected world (Duggan, 2008). The relationship among different countries is hardened by both technology and science that are slowly entering the world. Economic growth in the knowledge economy has been sustained by know-how which has replaced both land and capital and is considered basic blocks of growth (Qureshi, Keen, & Kamal, 2007). A research that was carried out by the World Bank indicated that approximately 90% of those internet subscribers originate from countries with a population estimate of up to 15% of the global total. The study was carried out in 178 countries whereby a metric called Social Access Index was devised. The main determinants of DAI are affordability and accessibility to the internet, education, internet users in relation to high speed connections, and bandwidth availability. International development agencies proposed that for this bridge between information rich and information poor in respect to digital divide (Duggan, 2008). Investment in ICT A report delivered by Social Planet predicts that the expenses made in the Information and Communications Technology is increasing tremendously. The reason given on this is that being a competitive need in the economy, it has been continuously invested so that the global demand is met (Venkat, 2002). Digital divide is the difference on how each social group acquires or gets access to social technologies. The way a given social group gets social technology differs greatly bare because on the haves and the have not, but according to some scholars, digital divide is basically dictated by the extent to which a given social group get access to information technology. The difference in the availability and accessibility of social technology is defined by the challenges that are posed by the physical factors such as computer availability and connections (Duggan, 2008). It is through digital divide that countries have been challenged in that they are looking on ways to reduce this issue of digital divide both internally and externally. Developing countries should use technology in an effective way so as to benefit them rather than being dependent on developed countries (Duggan, 2008). It is through numerous researches that digital divide has been realized to influence by the national income of a particular country. A forecast made from this assumption indicates that digital divide is least expected to narrow it gap. For over two decades now, since the development of information and communication technologies, it is quite complicated to find that ICT has not yet achieved what had been for. Those that are less fortunate or isolated do not get access to internet services. It was expected that technology will ease economic, political and social imbalances which to date has not yet been met. A gap has been created between the rich and the poor, developed and the developing countries (Qureshi, Keen, & Kamal, 2007). Factors affecting diffusion of Internet and ICT Computer and internet diffusion is broadly influenced by population, infrastructure, policies and prices. In that the set policies can push forward society into investing in ICT thus initiating a focused education in technology. Global digital divide is measure in two dimensions; Social Opportunity Index which has eleven ICT indicators clustered into three broad groups, that is infrastructure, utilization and opportunity. This kind of measure assesses the extent to which telecommunication services are available in the selected 181 countries. The second model being ICT Development Index (IDI) is not widely used because it is based on the level of education and literacy of individuals. By using both models will clearly highlight the independent variable so as to aid in outlining digital divide. According to researches that have been done, four variables that are attached to policies and five variables connected with social opportunity and ICT development were found (Venkat, 2002). Countries which have capitalized on education and are equipped with adequate resources will be in a safe position as far as development of technology is concerned. In addition, affluent population has a positive impact towards the development of social services. It is quite obvious that when a country invests mostly on education, advanced ICT will be demanded. In this regard therefore technology will be made available to the audience. In a case where a country embraces freedom in its political structure, policies will be formulated in favor of technological development. The likelihood of internet usage is as a result of employing on a culture that favors political expression and improving communications. It is therefore the existence of freedom and a peaceful political structure that technological development is attained (Duggan, 2008). The success of a country in terms of ICT is determined by the formation of an independent regulatory authority established so as to be in charge of information and communication technologies development. The body is actually meant to promote and improve ICT in that particular country. The body through the DOI model is expected to improve ICT infrastructure, opportunity and utilization afterwards improve its accessibility and usage of ICT. ICT role in product development For a product to be fully developed in a given country, competition should exist. This applies to the Telecommunication services, in a scenario where competition is the order of the day, ICT development will be easily achieved only if the country in subject promotes competition in the development of ICT. Another approach is situation where a country grants the marketplace to control the competition. Through competition, a country increases its ICT opportunity, infrastructure and utilization in mobile telecommunication services. Accessibility and usage of ICT is increased only if it is put in place. Information technology and Telecommunication sector has improved due to the face that both public and private firms have contributed into the development of technology by financing towards technological infrastructure and structural resources. In spend also in this industry is another way of ICT promotion. Infrastructure, opportunity and utilization in improved in the ICT when financial investment is high. This also applies when a country invest more on ICT sector thus increasing its accessibility and the mode of usage. Financial investments in ICT A research that was done outlined a number of items that are considered when dealing with financial commitments in coming up with ICT. Some of these include; revenues from telecommunication presented as percentage of the GDP, investment extracted from telecommunication which I calculated as a percentage of the total revenue, spending of both research and ICT development and appears as a percentage of the total GDP. Expenses incurred in the process of ICT development and are calculated under GDP. Items such as computers and their related services get involved in the development of ICT and are included in the service export as a percentage. High technology exports which are calculated as a percentage of manufacturing exports. Lastly, natural log of international internet bandwidth which calculated as pits per second per person. Digital divide being area of concern, developing countries should consider the factor that been mentioned earlier to as to narrow it. Such issues as financial investment, competition, regulatory authority and a resources and education can a country good in terms of ICT development economically (Canasta, 2009). Theories and frameworks This article focuses on the effectiveness of social as a framework. It highlights a number of theories that are employed in information system that best handle digital divide. They include; institutional theory, innovative diffusion and management of knowledge which leads to a five step approach; acquiring knowledge on the availability and importance of technologies in respect to the economy or an organization, creating access to opportunities, adopting and usage, creating new products and services within ICT and finally enjoying potentials and capabilities by sharing in a favorable environment (Qureshi, Keen, & Kamal, 2007). A framework has been established so as to keep a focus on improving social effectiveness other than narrowing the gap of digital divide. In achieving this goal high levels of capabilities should be identified and not the have and the have-nots and less considering the relative position of a country. Decisions made by an institution f greatly influenced by coercive, normative or mimetic mechanisms as per the institutional perspective. The pressure caused by both internal and external environmental factors has greatly influenced the development of ICT infrastructure. Digital divide do exist in a country when faced with social, political, economic policies that are review with time. Diffusion of innovation evolves with time. Developing countries tend to settle other issues and after sometime will handle ICT as they move forward. Challenges such as technical compatibility and complexity, and relative advantage tend to hinder the narrowing of digital divide in that high level of development and investment and investing on ICT will mean higher output to developing nations which has no yield much in developing countries. Regulations that govern the development of ICT, technological issues and the type of political structure that has been put in place also influence a country in the way the react or adapt to ICT. This clearly identifies through the institutional theory how organizations, groups and industries get to interact with one another and how their behaviors are influenced by technology, politics and regulations of ICT (Duggan, 2008). Through management of knowledge, a country must have a technical knowhow on ICT so as to develop it. Before a decision is made concerning technology one has to first gain knowledge in that particular field. In order to narrow the technological gap of digital divide, the government should come in and ensure that they get knowledge and competence on technology which is categorized under knowledge management approach to give them confidence that they really need. Knowledge attainment can vary from organizational to regional and global communities based on their culture that support learning (Canasta, 2009). In any process that is undergone in ICT development knowledge is quite important. A number of stages should be followed in technology development before its maturity is fully achieved. In order to attain the capabilities of ICT and harness positive social economic benefits, knowledge management, institutionalism and adoption of technology must be first put in place. Management of Knowledge is important at any level as it aid in coming up with policies that will aid in effective accessibility and technology exploitation is majorly important in a developing economy. An environment that supports learning and ICT knowledge sharing will greatly influence technological effectiveness. From an institutional point of view, national culture and organizational influence emanating from other countries may influence a given country thus improving the speed at which technology is penetrating to and developing to innovators and adopters (Kim, & Lee**, 2010). Basing on legislature, they instill the regulations that may influence behavior into adoption of ICT. With its support, provision of rules and guidelines that are concern with copyrights and information security will enhance innovation and development of ICT. Analysis The extent to which ICT is rated in terms of performance will have a positive impact towards its development. In addition, culture that support ICT development will lead into the improvement of ICT (Duggan, 2008). Researches has been done concerning digital divide, to date many frameworks and models has been brought about in the process of finding tangible solutions to this phenomenon, dimensions that are related to these researches are to be expanded so as to come with a solid framework on the best dimensions to solve it (Canazza, 2009). From a global point of view, goals attainment are hindered by the fact that there is difference in the way various countries get access to internet and other related services. This mostly happen in developing countries. The process of ICT development is under a number of processes; ICT awareness, innovation diffusion, adoption and innovation. Conclusion The dispersed knowledge has been shared because of the fact that developing countries have source their knowledge and skills to developed countries. There is a need therefore for knowledge networking that will come out with a model for global capacity sourcing whereby developed countries will be supplied with skills and knowledge from developing countries. This practice has been there for a long time. A trend that is experienced in digital divide is the fact that information and communication technology is becoming an important yardstick that will enhance development in this direction. This is the reason why the emerging economies of Chile and Malaysia are going ahead of other developing counties. They are coming out of the third world countries. They are achieving this by sealing the gap between those who can access information and those who are not in a position to access this information. They are developing their information systems to realize this. Bibliography Canazza, M.R., 2009. Global effort on bridging the digital divide and the role of ICT standardization. Brazil: National Telecommunication Agency of Brazil. Duggan, E.W., 2008. Rethinking the Digital Divide: Towards a Path of Digital Effectiveness. Kingston: University of the West Indies. Kim, H.S. & Lee, E.Y., 2010. Narrowing the Digital infrastructure Divide anong Cities and Rural Areas. Seoul: National Information Society Agency. Qureshi, S., Keen, P. & Kamal, M., 2007. Knowledge Networking for Development: Building Bridges across the Digital Divide. Hawaii: University of Nebraska Omaha. Venkat, K., 2002. Delving into the Digital Divide. IEEE Spectrum. Yates, D.J. & Gulat, J.J., 2010. Explaining the Global Digital Divide: The Impact of Public Policy Initiatives on Digital Opportunity and ICT Development. Massachusetts: Bentley University. Read More