Institutional characteristics of a geographic digital divide bridging national programs and mechanisms

2020 ◽  
pp. 125-142
Author(s):  
Т.Ф. Шарифьянов
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Institutional Characteristics ◽  
Broadband Internet ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
Information Supply Chain ◽  
National Programs

Объектом статьи является инфраструктура информационного доступа (широкополосный), а предметом – механизм ее диффузии на периферийные территории региона. Рассмотрены государственные практики ряда правительств, направленные на сокращение географического цифрового неравенства. Все множество практик рассмотрено со стороны их институциональных и проектных характеристик. В контексте прикладных задач региональной экономики, т.е. развития связующей центр-периферийной инфраструктуры, практики сгруппированы в двух ключевых измерениях – в разрезе звеньев цепочки формирования информационного доступа и в последовательности снижения сил рыночных, смешанных и государственных институтов при движении от центра к периферии региона. Предложен общий синтетический механизм диффузии инфраструктуры от центра к периферии региона и его промежуточная версия для совершенствования действующего в России механизма сокращения географического цифрового неравенства. Приведены некоторые оценки преимущества нового механизма. The information access infrastructure (broadband internet) is the object of this paper and the mechanism of the infrastructure diffusion to the peripheral territories its subject. The government’s practices aimed to bridge the geographical digital divide are considered. All of observed practices considered in terms of their institutional and design characteristics. In the context of applied regional tasks i.e. the development of a connecting center-peripheral infrastructure, practices are grouped in two key dimension – in terms of links in the information supply chain and in the sequence of market, mixed and state institutions forces reduction during the direction from the center to the periphery of the region. A general synthetic mechanism of the central-periphery infrastructure diffusion and its intermediate version for improving the existing Russian mechanism are proposed. Some assessments of the advantages of the new mechanism listed in the article.

Digitally disconnected: A qualitative study of patient perspectives on the digital divide and potential solutions (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Alcocer Alkureishi ◽  
Z-Yi Choo ◽  
Ali Rahman ◽  
Kimberly Ho ◽  
Jonah Benning-Shorb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Patient Perspectives ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Technology Access ◽  
Broadband Internet

BACKGROUND As telemedicine utilization increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, divergent usage patterns for video and audio-only telephone visits emerged. Older, low-income, minority, and non-English speaking Medicaid patients especially are at highest risk of experiencing technology access and digital literacy barriers. This raises concern for disparities in healthcare access and widening of the “digital divide”, the separation of those with technological access and knowledge and those who do not. While studies demonstrate correlation between racial and socioeconomic demographics and technological access and ability, individual patients' perspectives of the divide and its impacts remain unclear. OBJECTIVE We aimed to interview patients to understand their perspectives on 1) the definition, causes, and impact of the digital divide, 2) whose responsibility it is to address, and 3) potential solutions to mitigate the digital divide. METHODS Between December 2020-March 2021, we conducted 54 semi-structured telephone interviews with adult patients and parents of pediatric patients who had virtual visits (phone and/or video) sometime between March and September 2020 at the University of Chicago Medical Center primary care clinics. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze interview data. RESULTS Patients were keenly aware of the digital divide and described impacts beyond healthcare, including employment, education, community and social contexts, and personal economic stability. Patients described that individuals, government, libraries, schools, healthcare organizations, and even private businesses all shared the responsibility to address the divide. Proposed solutions to address the divide included conducting community technology needs assessments and improving technology access, literacy training, and resource awareness. Recognizing that some individuals will never cross the divide, patients also emphasized continued support of low-tech communication methods and healthcare delivery to prevent widening of the digital divide. Furthermore, patients viewed technology access and literacy as drivers of the social determinants of health (SDOH), profoundly influencing how SDOHs function to worsen or improve health disparities. CONCLUSIONS Patient perspectives provide valuable insight into the digital divide and can inform solutions to mitigate health and resulting societal inequities. Future work is needed to understand the digital needs of disconnected individuals and communities. As clinical care and delivery continue to integrate telehealth, studies are needed to explore whether having a video or audio-only phone visit results in different patient outcomes and utilization. Advocacy efforts to disseminate public and private resources can also expand device and broadband internet access, improve technology literacy, and increase funding to support both high- and low-tech forms of healthcare delivery for the disconnected.

A Snapshot Overview of the Digital Divide

2012 ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya ◽  
Tanya Du Plessis ◽  
Chris Rensleigh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Multivariate Approach ◽  
Government Development

It can arguably be stated that the digital divide, e-Inclusion, and successful e-Government development are inseparable. The concept of e-Inclusion is an a priori phenomenon to understanding the concept of the digital divide. This chapter provides a theoretical background on the linkages of information access, the digital divide, e-Inclusion, and e-Government. This exploratory study aims to discuss the intricacies of the digital divide and present a snapshot discussion of initiatives taken in Zambia to bridge the divide in the context of e-Government. The discussion presents the likelihood of the realisation of e-Government inclusion in the Zambian context and how this can impact e-Government development in its totality. From the discussion, it is evident that e-Government depends on multi-dimensional factors (such as individual and institutional e-Readiness, relevance of e-Government applications, local culture, propensity to change, and managerial and technical capabilities) to succeed, and this entails that any robust e-Government strategy should incorporate a multivariate approach in its design.

A Snapshot Overview of the Digital Divide

2012 ◽  
pp. 71-89
Author(s):  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya ◽  
Tanya Du Plessis ◽  
Chris Rensleigh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Multivariate Approach ◽  
Government Development

It can arguably be stated that the digital divide, e-Inclusion, and successful e-Government development are inseparable. The concept of e-Inclusion is an a priori phenomenon to understanding the concept of the digital divide. This chapter provides a theoretical background on the linkages of information access, the digital divide, e-Inclusion, and e-Government. This exploratory study aims to discuss the intricacies of the digital divide and present a snapshot discussion of initiatives taken in Zambia to bridge the divide in the context of e-Government. The discussion presents the likelihood of the realisation of e-Government inclusion in the Zambian context and how this can impact e-Government development in its totality. From the discussion, it is evident that e-Government depends on multi-dimensional factors (such as individual and institutional e-Readiness, relevance of e-Government applications, local culture, propensity to change, and managerial and technical capabilities) to succeed, and this entails that any robust e-Government strategy should incorporate a multivariate approach in its design.

scholarly journals ODL and the impact of digital divide on information access in Botswana

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olugbade Oladokun ◽  
Lenrie Aina
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
Distance Teaching ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

<p>Open and distance learning (ODL) has created room for the emergence of virtual education. Not only are students found everywhere and anywhere undertaking their studies and earning their degrees, but geographical boundaries between nations no longer appear to have much relevance. As the new education paradigm irretrievably alters the way teaching and learning is conducted, the application of modern educational ICTs has a major role to play.</p><p>With students of transnational or cross-border education dispersed into various nooks and crannies of Botswana, many others enlist for the “home-baked” distance learning programmes from their diverse locations. Like the face-to-face conventional students, distance learners also have information needs which have to be met. But blocking the distance learners’ realization of their information needs is the digital divide, which further marginalizes the underclass of “info-poor.”</p><p>The survey method was used, and a questionnaire administered to 519 students of four tertiary level distance teaching institutions that met the criteria set for the study yielded a 70.1% response rate. The results showed that while the Government of Botswana has made considerable effort to ensure country-wide access to ICT, which now constitutes an effective instrument for meeting information needs, a number of problems still exist. The factors impeding easy access are unearthed. The findings of an empirical study portraying some learners as information-rich and others, information-poor, and the consequence of distance learners studying on both sides of the digital divide, are discussed. Suggestions on bridging the digital divide are offered.</p>

The Severity of Supply Chain Disruptions: Design Characteristics and Mitigation Capabilities

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Craighead ◽  
Jennifer Blackhurst ◽  
M. Johnny Rungtusanatham ◽  
Robert B. Handfield
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Design Characteristics
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