The Growing Impact of ICT on Development in Africa

2019 ◽  
pp. 403-415
Author(s):  
Sherif H. Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Development Paths

Information and communication technology for development has been evolving for almost four decades, realizing business and socioeconomic development and growth and capitalizing on channels for information acquisition and knowledge dissemination allowing the creation of an emerging global knowledge-based society with innovative means of communication that can help increase competitiveness for individuals, organizations, and societies. ICT tools and applications could be used as an effective platform to minimize the digital divide and promote social inclusion. The transformation process enabled through ICT is affecting different aspects of the economy and is forcing governments to rethink the way they handle their socioeconomic challenges as they move forward in their development paths. This chapter addresses some of the initiatives in Africa to minimize the intra- and inter-digital divide and join actively the global knowledge society by capitalizing on emerging technologies but more importantly by focusing on human capital as the most invaluable element in the technology ecosystem.

The Growing Impact of ICT on Development in Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 7223-7233
Author(s):  
Sherif H. Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Development Paths

Information and communication technology for development has been evolving for almost four decades realizing business and socioeconomic development and growth and capitalizing on channels for information acquisition and knowledge dissemination allowing the creation of an emerging global knowledge-based society with innovative means of communication that can help increase competitiveness for individuals, organizations and societies. ICT tools and applications could be used as an effective platform to minimize the digital divide and promote social inclusion. The transformation process enabled through ICT is affecting different aspects of the economy and is forcing governments to rethink the way they handle their socioeconomic challenges as they move forward in their development paths. This article addresses some of the initiatives in Africa to minimize the intra and inter digital divide, and join actively the global knowledge society by capitalizing on emerging technologies but more importantly by focusing on human capital as the most invaluable element in the technology ecosystem.

The Role of ICTs and the Management of Multinational Intellectual Capital

2011 ◽  
pp. 2457-2472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirghani S. Mohamed ◽  
Mona A. Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Supply Network ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Governance Strategy

This chapter provides a systematic multidisciplinary framework that defines the role of technology in leveraging IC across borders and between headquarters and subsidiaries. In reaching this conclusion, this chapter investigates the strategic importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the management of Intellectual Capital (IC) within a Multinational Company (MNC) ecosystem. The chapter addresses the transubstantiation of MNC into boundaryless Global Knowledge-Based Organization (GKB-MNC) which ultimately propagates into Learning MNC (LMNC). The latter is a suggested MNC category that sustains competitive advantage through systemic adoption of “Knowledge Iterative Supply Network (KISN)” model proposed by the authors. The chapter suggests a new multinational ICT/IC governance strategy that handles the emerging complexities associated with modern intangible resource synthesis.

Digital inclusion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald M. Baecker
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Rich

J. C. R. Licklider, Vannevar Bush, Doug Engelbart, Ted Nelson, and Alan Kay optimistically and exuberantly imagined how computers could better the lives of people. Much of this has come to pass. The Internet supports learning by ‘students’ at all levels. Information on laws, procedures, diseases, and medical care may be found on the web. The Internet now provides the easiest, or in some cases the only, way to pay bills or order items such as books, groceries, and even clothing. It is a means of communication with family, friends, individuals one would like to meet, individuals with whom one could share insights, and potential employers. Music, films, and other means of entertainment stream to our digital devices. This implies that those for whom digital technology is not available are at a disadvantage. The gap between the technology-haves and the technology-have-nots became known in the 1990s as a digital divide. The concept is nuanced; we can speak of availability or scarcity of hardware, such as personal computers (PCs) and mobile phones; of infrastructure such as cellular networks; of communications bandwidth that enables a smooth media viewing experience; of expertise in using the technology; of commitment to its use; and of engagement in the process. Some only consume information; others contribute their ideas via methods such as blogging and tweeting. Yet a better way to describe digital technology widely accessible is the goal of social inclusion, to allow all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, location, race, gender, or ability or disability, to take advantage of the benefits of modern computing and telecommunications. To have terminology that is even more evocative, we shall use the more modern and descriptive term of digital inclusion. This has been defined by the International Telecommunications Union as ‘empowering people through information and communication technologies (ICTs)’. The term ‘people’ is meant here to imply all people throughout the world. This chapter will first examine the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots (often the rich and the poor) within several nations. Examples of the benefits of digital inclusion will be cited.

An Interactive Ecosystem of Digital Literacy Services

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-31
Author(s):  
José Eder Guzmán-Mendoza ◽  
Jaime Muñoz-Arteaga ◽  
Ángel Eduardo Muñoz-Zavala ◽  
René Santaolaya-Salgado
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Educational Paradigm

Knowledge Society (KS) is influenced by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), economic changes, political, cultural and social concepts allowing access to other levels of welfare and progress. However, the differences in terms of access and ICT skills between different groups in society have created a problem of digital divide. To overcome this problem, models and strategies are required to achieve a greater impact on the population and that population can develop skills that enhance inclusion in the society knowledge. This work proposes an Interactive Ecosystem of digital literacy that aims to set a new educational paradigm approach to encourage different learning communities to uses new technologies of information and communication that allows them to be more competitive in today's world and thus shorten the digital divide. Finally, a case study is shown as an implementation of the ecosystem throughout an architectural model in the state of Aguascalientes, México.

scholarly journals From Digital Divide to Social Inclusion: A Tale of Mobile Platform Empowerment in Rural Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Ye ◽  
Huiqin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Mobile Platform ◽  
The World ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Practical Implications

The digital divide in rural areas is an important social issue, especially in developing countries. Although Internet and broadband penetration have increased in the world generally, there are many obstacles for rural China to get access to ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and its services. The mobile platform is regarded as a novel and effective tool to reduce the digital divide. Based on a case of one mobile platform, namely WeCountry in Chinese rural areas, this study illustrates how a mobile platform bridges the digital divide and helps rural areas achieve social inclusion. Results show that: (1) the mobile platform mainly acts on the digital capability divide elimination, and it has to guide and increase users’ usage capability; (2) the mobile platform can empower villagers in structural, psychological, and resource dimensions, achieving political inclusion, social participation inclusion, and economic inclusion; (3) platform providers and government are key organizations during the divide elimination process. This paper concludes with theoretical and practical implications.

scholarly journals Entering Global Knowledge Society: Role of Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo Slaus
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Obstet Gynecol ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Holistic Approaches ◽  
Contemporary Education

ABSTRACT We discuss the role of global education in the 21st century for a changing human being and for a rapidly changing world in order of achieving global knowledge-based society. It is shown that contemporary education has to encompass specialized, disciplinary education and paradigmatically different holistic approaches, and that the universities have a mission and a responsibility which goes far beyond the task of providing industry with efficient employees, marketable ideas or sciencebased solutions. Their mission is to produce mature, independent, critical and responsible personalities, who are not tools in anybody's service. How to cite this article Slaus I. Entering Global Knowledge Society: Role of Education. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(3):239-247.

Global knowledge? Cooperation and conflict in the post-hegemonic era: Facing the pandemic crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Miranda ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International System ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Cooperation ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
The Impact

In recent decades, we have witnessed the consolidation of the knowledge society, based on a process of globalization, which promotes the consolidation of the knowledge economy as an emerging paradigm, as well as promoting new dynamics of scientific cooperation, especially from the European Union to the rest of the world. Agreements, summits, and a network of science diplomacy have been set up reflecting the impact of knowledge on new development models. From this process, conceived as a catalyst for value chains based on knowledge intensity, it is possible to glimpse new power conflicts related to other recent conflicts for economic and political hegemony on a global scale. This study aims to analyze countries’ behavior vis-à-vis the global threat of the COVID 19 pandemic, based on the correlation between their ability to face it and their levels of knowledge-based development as a differentiating element in terms of vulnerability. The results show a process where scientific cooperation has given way to a field of geopolitical competition between the actors of the international system, affecting their levels of vulnerability to global threats.

An Innovative E-Learning Platform for Vocational Training of European Local Police Forces

2011 ◽  
pp. 1204-1211
Author(s):  
Ioannis P. Chochliouros ◽  
George Heliotis ◽  
Anastasia S. Spiliopoulou ◽  
George Agapiou
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Telecommunication Networks ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Market Competitiveness ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
E Learning ◽  
And Training

Over the last years, the astonishing progress of modern telecommunication networks and the simultaneous spread of the Internet have brought about unprecedented access to a wealth of information and resources. The full development of Internet’s potential to improve access to education and training, and to enhance the quality of learning, is a key prerequisite for building a European (and a global) knowledge society. In particular, not only education but also social cohesion and market competitiveness depend more and more on Europe’s ability to adapt (appropriately) its educational and training systems in order to realize this major challenge (Stewart, 2004). Without any doubt, information and communication technologies (ICT) can offer significant potential for the improvement of education and training (Kruse, 2002; Tsai & Machado, 2002) in several areas, as they can strongly support learning processes through enhanced communication, discovery, simulation, exploration, and problem solving (Ewing & Miller, 2002).

The digital divide and social inclusion among refugee migrants

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khorshed Alam ◽  
Sophia Imran
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Centre Piece ◽  
Physical Access ◽  
Migrant Groups

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which influence refugee migrants’ adoption of digital technology and its relevance to their social inclusion in Australia. Design/methodology/approach – This research developed a conceptual framework keeping the “use” of digital technology as the centre-piece of the digital divide. The empirical data were derived from a series of focus group discussions with refugee migrants in an Australian regional city, Toowoomba in Queensland. Findings – There is a digital divide among refugee migrant groups and it is based on inequalities in physical access to and use of digital technology, the skills necessary to use the different technologies effectively and the ability to pay for the services. The opportunities to use digital technology could support the social inclusion of refugee migrant groups in the broader Australian community. Research limitations/implications – Further research is required to examine whether this digital divide is unique in the regional context or common to Australian society and to confirm factors that might contribute significantly to refugee migrants’ social inclusion. Originality/value – This paper determined the role digital technology can play in building social capital and hence social inclusion among refugee migrant groups. Many of the factors identified as influencing refugee migrants’ use of digital technology can inform the Australian government and the information and communication technology industry in devising supportive policies and plans to reduce the risk of social exclusion, alienation and marginalisation among refugee migrant groups.

What Does it Mean to Bridge the Divide?

2013 ◽  
pp. 1534-1553
Author(s):  
Suely Fragoso ◽  
Denise Cogo ◽  
Liliane Dutra Brignol
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Information And Communication

This chapter discusses the success and failure of initiatives which provide access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a means of promoting social inclusion. We believe that there is often a disparity between the supposed and the true needs and desires of the minority groups at the receiving end of digital divide initiatives. Observation of practices towards ICTs which are spontaneously developed by a minority group indicate that important achievements are being overlooked by formal evaluations of digital divide projects and policies. The observed practices are organized into six categories and a change of paradigm is proposed for further actions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document