E-Government and the Digital Divide

Private Organizations ◽

Rapid Pace ◽

Access Services

Many governments world wide are attempting to increase accountability, transparency, and the quality of services by adopting information and communications technologies (ICTs) to modernize and change the way their administrations work. Meanwhile e-government is becoming a significant decision-making and service tool at local, regional and national government levels. The vast majority of users of these government online services see significant benefits from being able to access services online. The rapid pace of technological development has created increasingly more powerful ICTs that are capable of radically transforming public institutions and private organizations alike. These technologies have proven to be extraordinarily useful instruments in enabling governments to enhance the quality, speed of delivery and reliability of services to citizens and to business (VanderMeer & VanWinden, 2003). However, just because the technology is available does not mean it is accessible to all. The term digital divide has been used since the 1990s to describe patterns of unequal access to ICTs—primarily computers and the Internet—based on income, ethnicity, geography, age, and other factors. Over time it has evolved to more broadly define disparities in technology usage, resulting from a lack of access, skills, or interest in using technology. This article provides an overview of recent literature on e-government and the digital divide, and includes a discussion on the potential of e-government in addressing the digital divide.

E-Government and the Digital Divide

Global Information Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-939-7.ch160 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 2204-2213

Author(s):

Tan Yigitcanlar ◽

Scott Baum

Keyword(s):

Digital Divide ◽

World Wide ◽

Technological Development ◽

Public Institutions ◽

Private Organizations ◽

Rapid Pace ◽

Access Services

Many governments world wide are attempting to increase accountability, transparency, and the quality of services by adopting information and communications technologies (ICTs) to modernize and change the way their administrations work. Meanwhile e-government is becoming a significant decision-making and service tool at local, regional and national government levels. The vast majority of users of these government online services see significant benefits from being able to access services online. The rapid pace of technological development has created increasingly more powerful ICTs that are capable of radically transforming public institutions and private organizations alike. These technologies have proven to be extraordinarily useful instruments in enabling governments to enhance the quality, speed of delivery and reliability of services to citizens and to business (VanderMeer & VanWinden, 2003). However, just because the technology is available does not mean it is accessible to all. The term digital divide has been used since the 1990s to describe patterns of unequal access to ICTs—primarily computers and the Internet—based on income, ethnicity, geography, age, and other factors. Over time it has evolved to more broadly define disparities in technology usage, resulting from a lack of access, skills, or interest in using technology. This article provides an overview of recent literature on e-government and the digital divide, and includes a discussion on the potential of e-government in addressing the digital divide.

Encyclopedia of Organizational Knowledge, Administration, and Technology - Advances in Logistics, Operations, and Management Science ◽

Data Discovery Systems for Not-for-Profit Organizations

10.4018/978-1-7998-3473-1.ch040 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 536-548

Author(s):

Joanna Palonka

Keyword(s):

Resource Management ◽

Data Discovery ◽

For Profit ◽

Contemporary World ◽

Not For Profit ◽

Not For Profit Organizations ◽

For Profit Organizations

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) change the organization's rules of functioning in the contemporary world. The major challenge facing each organization is the necessity to acquire/develop its ability to create, implement and use innovative ICT methods and techniques in all processes it carries out. The study is aimed at not-for-profit organizations. They are in need of organizational, financial, and technological changes in order to fulfil their mission and build their potential effectively. Under existing circumstances these organizations are forced to efficiently use data in resource management. They have to understand that modern ICTs bring internal benefits and contribute to higher efficiency as well as enhanced quality of the services they provide. Data Discovery Systems (DD) are one of the modern technologies which help in achieving these goals. The aim of this chapter is to present the possibility of using DD systems in effective resource management of not-for-profit organizations based on the case study of a selected organization.

Using ICT to Foster Human Rights Defense Processes for Mexican Immigrants

Regional Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-0882-5.ch809 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 1563-1581

Author(s):

Maria Alejandra Rocha Silva ◽

Juan Contreras-Castillo ◽

Ricardo Acosta-Díaz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mexican Immigrants ◽

The United States ◽

Adaptation Process ◽

Illegal Aliens ◽

American Society ◽

Race And Religion

Frequently, Mexicans who cannot find solutions for their financial problems migrate to the United States hoping to improve their quality of life. However, they usually face abuses, mostly because they are illegal aliens, but also because they arrive to a society which is not their own. These migrants are mainly excluded from American society not only because of their race and religion, but also because they do not speak English in most cases, do not have studies higher than primary school, and are not proficient in using information and communications technologies (ICT). With this panorama in mind, the Colimenses sin Fronteras Web Portal becomes a tool to support and help them overcome the adaptation process, which might help reduce the discrimination that many of them face upon arriving to the receiving country. It also provides migrants with information about the abuses they might suffer and how to file a legal complaint.

Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development - Sustainable Economic Development and the Influence of Information Technologies ◽

Sustainable Development and the Digital Divide Among OIC Countries

10.4018/978-1-61520-709-1.ch015 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 233-252

Author(s):

Chamhuri Siwar ◽

Abdul-Mumin Abdulai

Keyword(s):

Digital Divide ◽

Global Economy ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Scientific Development ◽

Communications Technology ◽

The Developed Countries ◽

Almost All

Undoubtedly, digital technology (DT) has revolutionalised information and communications technology (ICT) base of the global economy, which has impacted tremendously the socio-economic, political, cultural and scientific development in the majority of the world’s economies. The chapter examines “digital divide” in a broader perspective of information and communications technologies (ICTs) that encompass not only computers, but also telephone (line and cellular), television (TV), radio etc. It is an open secret that ICTs have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining economic development in the developed countries. Through ICTs, creating, storing and sharing enormous volume of information with relative ease in almost all the spheres of human endeavour have been made possible. The power inherent in ICT that can break up barriers and boundaries holding countries, continents and businesses miles apart can never be over-emphasized. Despite the attendant benefits of ICTs, there are still deep-seated ICT inequalities both within and among the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries. This chapter investigates the depth of the existing digital divide among the OIC member countries and to unearth the possible obstacles. Finally, some policy recommendations have been offered towards the end of the chapter.

Using ICT to Foster Human Rights Defense Processes for Mexican Immigrants

Technology for Facilitating Humanity and Combating Social Deviations ◽

10.4018/978-1-60960-094-5.ch008 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 132-150

Author(s):

Maria Alejandra Rocha Silva ◽

Juan Contreras-Castillo ◽

Ricardo Acosta-Díaz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mexican Immigrants ◽

The United States ◽

Adaptation Process ◽

Illegal Aliens ◽

American Society ◽

Race And Religion

Frequently, Mexicans who cannot find solutions for their financial problems migrate to the United States hoping to improve their quality of life. However, they usually face abuses, mostly because they are illegal aliens, but also because they arrive to a society which is not their own. These migrants are mainly excluded from American society not only because of their race and religion, but also because they do not speak English in most cases, do not have studies higher than primary school, and are not proficient in using information and communications technologies (ICT). With this panorama in mind, the Colimenses sin Fronteras Web Portal becomes a tool to support and help them overcome the adaptation process, which might help reduce the discrimination that many of them face upon arriving to the receiving country. It also provides migrants with information about the abuses they might suffer and how to file a legal complaint.

Digital Divide Implications and Trends

Encyclopedia of Information Ethics and Security ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-987-8.ch020 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 130-135

Author(s):

Irene Chen ◽

Terry T. Kidd

Keyword(s):

Civil Rights ◽

Digital Divide ◽

The Elderly ◽

Political Issue ◽

Related Services ◽

Technological Gap ◽

Other Information ◽

Rights Issue

Within the past decade, a growing body of evidence supports the ever-widening technological gap among members of the society and world, in particular children and the elderly (NTIA, 1995, 1997, 1999). This “digital divide” has become a leading economic and civil rights issue. The digital divide is referred to as a social/political issue encompassing the socio-economic gap between communities that have access to computers, the Internet, and other information technology- related services and those that do not. The term also refers to gaps that exist between groups regarding their ability to use ICTs (information and communications technologies) effectively and the gap between those groups that have access to quality, useful digital content, and those that do not.

Adaptive Collaborative Work and XML Web Services

Internet Strategy ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-763-8.ch007 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 86-100

Author(s):

Mayumi Hori ◽

Masakazu Ohashi

Keyword(s):

Web Services ◽

Human Resources ◽

Nonprofit Organizations ◽

Business Processes ◽

Collaborative Work ◽

Private Organizations ◽

Xml Web ◽

Constant Improvement

In this chapter, we discuss XML Web services, which integrates different systems and applications into one comprehensive system. XML Web services connects different entities such as corporations, governmental bodies, and nonprofit organizations, enabling the adaptive collaboration work (ACW) which is essential to promptly meet the increasingly diverse needs and kaleidoscopic changes in the economy. ACW is critical in the ubiquitous society where constant improvement of business processes and cooperation and collaboration with both existing and new systems are required. We propose the advanced application of XML Web services based on the ACW would enable a variety of organizations to collaborate with each other on the Internet and ultimately increase their productivity and efficiency. XML Web services effectively strengthens business management as it enables organizations to share personnel information across the board, therefore, organizations can unify management of their human resources. In the ubiquitous society, whether it is public or private, organizations need to develop and cultivate human resources capable of planning integrative strategy with information and communications technologies (ICT), designing and developing systems, managing hardware and software, and operating/maintaining systems.XML Web services based on the ACW gives suggestions on tactical solutions for these emerging agendas.

Sustainable Development and the Digital Divide Among OIC Countries

Digital Literacy ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-1852-7.ch013 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 242-261

Author(s):

Chamhuri Siwar ◽

Abdul-Mumin Abdulai

Keyword(s):

Digital Divide ◽

Global Economy ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Scientific Development ◽

Communications Technology ◽

The Developed Countries ◽

Almost All

Undoubtedly, digital technology (DT) has revolutionalised information and communications technology (ICT) base of the global economy, which has impacted tremendously the socio-economic, political, cultural and scientific development in the majority of the world’s economies. The chapter examines “digital divide” in a broader perspective of information and communications technologies (ICTs) that encompass not only computers, but also telephone (line and cellular), television (TV), radio etc. It is an open secret that ICTs have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining economic development in the developed countries. Through ICTs, creating, storing and sharing enormous volume of information with relative ease in almost all the spheres of human endeavour have been made possible. The power inherent in ICT that can break up barriers and boundaries holding countries, continents and businesses miles apart can never be over-emphasized. Despite the attendant benefits of ICTs, there are still deep-seated ICT inequalities both within and among the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries. This chapter investigates the depth of the existing digital divide among the OIC member countries and to unearth the possible obstacles. Finally, some policy recommendations have been offered towards the end of the chapter.

Information Literacy and the Digital Divide

Digital Literacy ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-1852-7.ch002 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 20-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hopeton S. Dunn

Keyword(s):

Capacity Building ◽

Detailed Analysis ◽

Digital Divide ◽

Empirical Research ◽

Information Literacy ◽

Global South ◽

Strategic Thinking ◽

Policy Planning ◽

Communications Technologies

With the increasing spread of information and communications technologies (ICTs) globally, there is heightened debate about the continuing disparities of access and usage. The dialogue has proceeded in many respects oblivious of the centrality of information literacies in capacity building measures to redress the digital divide. This chapter examines both the concepts of the digital divide and information literacies and regards them as highly compatible in their application to the global south following a detailed analysis of issues such as orality and literacy, globalization from below and effective access to technology networks. The chapter concludes with a range of recommendations relating to reforms in strategic thinking and policy planning. The call for heightened emphasis on education including information literacies forms the centerpiece of an analysis grounded in both theory and empirical research.