Digital Divide and Social Cleavage: Case Studies of ICT Usage among Peasants in Contemporary China

2011 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 580-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhua Guo ◽  
Peng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Contemporary China ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Social Cleavage

AbstractDuring its structural transformation, rural China witnessed the emergence of four types of village: traditional, industrialized, commercial and villages in cities. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), including fixed phones, cell phones, television sets and the internet (with personal computers), are now commonly used in Chinese villages but in ways that differentiate villagers according to variables such as occupation, villager membership and social status. The adoption of ICTs by peasants not only represents but also accelerates growing peasant differentiation; in other words, the function of ICTs could not penetrate the barrier of social structure. Meanwhile, structural transformation in China has been an activator to shaping peasants' diversified ideas about information, and the demand for and usage of ICTs. An analysis of peasants' ICT adoption thus enables us to identify the basic trends and characteristics of social transformation in contemporary China.

Exploring the Notion of ‘Technology as a Public Good’

2013 ◽  
pp. 1472-1488
Author(s):  
Sunnie Lee Watson ◽  
Thalia Mulvihill
Keyword(s):  
Public Good ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Asian Context ◽  
Active Policy ◽  
Research Recommendations

This chapter aims to explore the historical, sociological, and economic factors that engender inequities related to digital technologies in the East Asian educational context. By employing critical social theory perspectives, the chapter discusses and argues for the notion of “Technology as a Public Good” by examining the Chinese, Japanese and Korean societies’ digital divide. This chapter examines how East Asian societies are exhibiting similar yet different problems in providing equitable access to information communication technologies to the less advantaged due to previously existing social structures, and discusses the urgency of addressing these issues. Based on the analysis of the digital divide in the East Asian context, this chapter also proposes and argues for the notion of “technology as a public good” in public and educational policies for information communication technologies. Finally, the chapter invites policymakers, researchers and educators to explore a more active policy approach regarding the digital divide solution, and provides specific future research recommendations for ICT policies and policy implementation in digital divide solutions.

The ICT Adoption in AMUL

2021 ◽  
pp. 143-158
Author(s):  
Pranav D. Desai
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Milk Products ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Milk Marketing

The adoption of information communication technologies (ICT) in rural regions of Gujarat by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMFL) can be considered as an iconic practice in the dairy industry in India. It is typically assumed that the efforts associated with the investment of ICT in rural area are not as effective as expected, though in the case of Amul, it was proved otherwise. Amul is a dairy farming company that produces a variety of milk products and GCMMF takes responsibility of distributing and marketing of the products of it. Amul has been a forerunner of rural India's adoption of ICT in dairy industry. This chapter shares the success story of Amul and how they utilized ICT in the dairy industry. The application of IT enabled Amul to get better control for the accumulated milk from scattered suppliers. The Amul case is a prime example for the enabling role of the technology for innovation.

scholarly journals M-PESA: A Socio-Economic Assemblage in Rural Kenya

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Jerop Komen
Keyword(s):  
Social Transformation ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Telephony ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Ethnographic Interviews ◽  
Rural Kenya ◽  
Money Transfers ◽  
And Gender ◽  
A Site

The role of information communication technologies in development is contested between those who view it as facilitating broad based human development (Waverman et al., 2005; Jack, Suri and Townsend 2010) and those that  view it as counterproductive (Donner 2008, Castel et al 2007). Mobile telephony, in particular, is seen as the most techno-social transformation to occur. For instance, at a macro level, Waverman et al. (2005) note that ‘mobile telephony has a positive and significant impact on economic growth and this impact may be twice as large in developing countries’. Kenya’s M-PESA is a case in point. This paper looks at M-PESA as a site of inclusion and exclusion, focusing on two elements:  emerging accounts of M-PESA usage, and security on money transfers. The paper presents M-PESA as a social assemblage by adopting DeLanda’s (2006) assemblage theory, which opens up macro and micro dichotomies. Data obtained from ethnographic interviews shows that although M-PESA is meeting some needs, it also has deterministic tendencies, such as power and gender hierarchy distributions, though complex in nature. The paper has studied mobile money as a socio-economic assemblage that shows the dynamics of social change not as given, but as constantly forming and reforming.

scholarly journals Possible, Probable and Preferable Futures of the Digital Divide

10.28945/2651 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Contemporary Problem ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Technology Strategies ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quantitative Assessments

The digital divide is widely recognized as a contemporary problem between society and technology. Strategies for bridging the digital divide are often informed and guided by quantitative assessments of the deployment of information communication technologies. There are few rigorous qualitative attempts to assess the digital divide from either an ethnographic or a futures-oriented perspective. This paper reports findings from a study that examined the possible, probable and preferable futures of the digital divide from an ethnographic perspective. The contents of this report include background to the problem of the digital divide, a review of literature describing the relationship between society and technology, findings from the data collection, and implications for future strategies to bridge the digital divide.

Examining the Factors that Influence ICT Adoption in SMEs

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Japhet Eke Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Diffusion Theory ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Information Richness ◽  
Industry Study ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Acceptance Model ◽  
Collection Phase

Many opportunities have been made available through the use of Information communication technologies (ICT) in organizations in general, and particularly in Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the early adopters' successes well publicized. Thus, many organizations not taking advantages of the ICT are currently examining their options. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence SMEs' decision in adopting ICT in business. The diffusion theory, the technology acceptance model and information richness will provide the theoretical foundation for this study. Currently in the data collection phase, the owner/manager or someone responsible for IT employed by the SMEs will be surveyed in this cross-industry study. Preliminary results from the study are reported as well as sample questions resulting from the study to be used in the final survey questionnaire.

Exploring the Notion of ‘Technology as a Public Good’

2011 ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Sunnie Lee Watson ◽  
Thalia Mulvihill
Keyword(s):  
Public Good ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Asian Context ◽  
Active Policy ◽  
Research Recommendations

This chapter aims to explore the historical, sociological, and economic factors that engender inequities related to digital technologies in the East Asian educational context. By employing critical social theory perspectives, the chapter discusses and argues for the notion of “Technology as a Public Good” by examining the Chinese, Japanese and Korean societies’ digital divide. This chapter examines how East Asian societies are exhibiting similar yet different problems in providing equitable access to information communication technologies to the less advantaged due to previously existing social structures, and discusses the urgency of addressing these issues. Based on the analysis of the digital divide in the East Asian context, this chapter also proposes and argues for the notion of “technology as a public good” in public and educational policies for information communication technologies. Finally, the chapter invites policymakers, researchers and educators to explore a more active policy approach regarding the digital divide solution, and provides specific future research recommendations for ICT policies and policy implementation in digital divide solutions.

Promoting Transparency and Strengthening Public Trust in Government through Information Communication Technologies?

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank L. K. Ohemeng ◽  
Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Trust In Government ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
The Public ◽  
Remarkable Progress

This paper attempts to examine Ghana's quest to use ICT as a tool to enhance transparency and build public trust in government. The questions the paper attempts to answer are: what are the main challenges confronting the government's e-governance initiative as a tool to ensure transparency and citizens' trust in the public sector? What steps are being taken to address these challenges? We argue that while Ghana seems to have made remarkable progress in this endeavour, it still faces a number of significant obstacles, which must be addressed if the objectives of its e-governance project are to be fully realized. Key challenges include infrastructure development for the growth of ICT, the huge gap in access to ICT (or what may be described as the digital divide), and the change in organizational culture to enhance easy accessibility to public documents.

Families, Cultural Resources and the Digital Divide: ICTs and Educational (dis)Advantage

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Angus ◽  
Ilana Snyder ◽  
Wendy Sutherland-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Gain Access

By concentrating on cases of family engagement with information communication technologies at a very local level, this paper tries to illustrate that issues related to ‘access’ and social disadvantage require extremely sophisticated and textured accounts of the multiple ways in which interrelated critical elements and various social, economic and cultural dimensions of disadvantage come into play in different contexts. Indeed, to draw a simple dichotomy between the technology haves and have-nots in local settings is not particularly generative. It may be the case that, even when people from disadvantaged backgrounds manage to gain access to technology, they remain relatively disadvantaged.

scholarly journals Influence of Digital Divide and Experience on Nigerian University Students’ Attitude Towards the Use of Information Communication Technologies for Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
Olori Abiola Lateef
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nigerian University

Recent studies have shown that factors influencing technology use include, but are not limited to, accessibility and availability. Several studies in developed countries revealed that digital division and experience significantly influence students’ attitude towards ICT utilization. However, there is lack of empirical evidence to show that such variables do influence ICT utilization by Nigerian students. This study examined the influence of digital divide and experience on Nigerian university students’ utilization of information communication technologies. Two research hypotheses were formulated for the study. A self-constructed and validated twenty-five- item instrument was used to gather information from one thousand and five hundred randomly selected respondents in three public universities in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, while t-test statistical method was used to analyze the data collected. Findings revealed that there is a significant difference in the perception of digital native and digital immigrant students in attitude towards ICT utilization (t = 3.25, p<0.05). The findings of this study also showed that there is no significant difference in the perception of digitally experienced and less experienced students in attitude towards ICT utilization(t = 1.16, p>0.05). Based on the findings, it was recommended that postgraduate students in Nigerian universities should be further encouraged not to allow age to influence their perception towards ICT utilization negatively. Also, Nigerian Government should subsidize the cost of ICT devices in order to make them affordable to all students.

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