Digital Divide Among the Tribals of Kerala

2022 ◽  
pp. 139-158
Author(s):  
Ramya A. V.

In the present society, the real apartheid is not between the racial or ethnic groups but between the ability to access and use the new modes and forms of information and communication technology. The gap between the ready availability of technology and those who do not have access to the computers and internet is called the digital divide. The society with high digital divide has social, financial, and political instability. The role of libraries as community information centers in rural and tribal regions will help to reduce the digital divide. The study identifies capacity building of rural people to make use of ICTs is crucial to solve the problem. This chapter focuses on the digital divide in the two tribal regions in Kerala, namely Kannavam and Thavainjal Panchayath, India. The quantitative comparative data of the factors affecting the digital divide, barriers for ICT access, the role of social media usage in reducing the digital divide in both the villages are quantitatively compared in this chapter.

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Khalid Mahmmod Ahmad Mansour ◽  
Fayez Jomah Saleh Al-Najjar

This study aimed to shed the light on the role of Social Media usage in the innovative behavior through the recent information technology (IT) in the organizations specialized in the information and communication technology (ICT) field. The study population consisted of the ICT organizations operating in Jordan as affiliated with the Information and Communication Technology Association (INTAJ) amounting to 161 organization. The analysis unit consisted of the managers in the top and middle level. The study relied on the simple random sample; and it reached a number of conclusions the most important of which is that the perceptions by respondents of the independent variable Social Media Usage were medium; and the same applies to all its dimensions. The dependent variable Innovative Behavior was also medium, as well as all its dimensions. As for the mediator variable IT, the respondents' perceptions were high, along with all its dimensions. The study indicated that there is a statistically significant impact for the Social Media usage with its component on the innovative behavior. Also, it was found that a statistically significant impact for the Social Media usage with its component on the innovative behavior through the IT in the organizations operating in the ICT field in Jordan. These conclusions indicated that there is an opportunity for the ICT organizations to promote its innovative behavior through the Social Media usage. Based on the reached conclusions, the study concluded a set of recommendations the most important of which is that the awareness should be increased with respect to the capacities that are available due to the use of the Social Media as well as the advantages that can be utilized by the ICT organizations in Jordan through this use; the organization should well utilize the Social Media usage especially the Groups and Sharing by taking the necessary decision that lead to the activation of the Social Media role in the various phases of the innovative behavior; and the need for the organizations to direct the use of Social Media through the dissemination of a culture of innovation based on the use of Social Media.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-51
Author(s):  
Simran Kaur Madan ◽  
Payal S. Kapoor

The research, based on uses and gratifications theory, identifies consumer motivation and factors that influence consumers' intention to follow brands on the social media platform of Instagram. Accordingly, this study empirically examines the role of need for self-enhancement, the need for entertainment, and deal-seeking behaviour on the intention to follow brands on Instagram. Further, the study investigates the mediation of social media usage behaviour for consumption decisions on eliciting brand following behaviour. Moderation of consumer skepticism on the relationship of deal-seeking behaviour, and intention to follow brands is also investigated. Findings reveal a significant direct effect of need for self-enhancement, need for entertainment, and deal-seeking behaviour on intention to follow brands. Indirect effect of social media usage behaviour for consumption decisions was also significant; however, moderation of consumer skepticism was not found to be significant. The study will help marketers create engaging content that enables consumer-brand interactions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Castro Pires de Souza Chimenti ◽  
Marco Aurelio de Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Marcelo Guedes Carneiro ◽  
Roberta Dias Campos

Purpose Through a literature review, a gap has been identified regarding the role of competition as a driver of social network (SN) usage. This study aims to design to address this gap, seeking motivators for SN usage based on how SN consumption may be related to users’ experience of competition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of competition in social media usage. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an exploratory qualitative approach, conducting a set of focus groups with young social media users. Data was analyzed with software. Findings Two new drivers for SN use are proposed, namely, competition and collective narrative. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, and it does not seek to generalize results or quantify causal relationships among variables. Practical implications This paper offers SN managers a deeper understanding of key growth drivers for these media. Social implications This research can help society understand and debate the impacts of SNs on users’ lives, providing insights into drivers of excessive usage. Originality/value This paper proposes the following two SN usage drivers yet to be described in the literature: competition and collective narrative.


Author(s):  
Tanushri Dalvi ◽  
Shrivardhan Kalghatgi ◽  
Samruddhi Metha ◽  
Amol Karagir ◽  
Madhuri Sale ◽  
...  

Background: In the last few decades, information and communication technology in social media has brought tremendous changes in the whole business, educational and political system; Dentistry is not an exception. The rise of social media has transformed how health professionals interact with their patients and deliver different types of health care services. Aim: To assess the attitudes and practices related to social media usage among dental practitioners in Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad city. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted among all dental practitioners in Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad city, Maharashtra, India. The questionnaire consisted of first part with socio-demographic variables like age, gender, years of experience and area of expertise and second part to assess attitudes and practices towards social media usage. Results: Among total of 138 dental practitioners, majority (68.1%) were belonging to age of 36-44 years followed by those above 45 years of age (17.4%). Around 49.3% dental practitioners were practicing dentistry since less than 5 years. Gender wise comparison showed no significant difference between attitudes and practices for social media usage. Although significant difference was found for question 3, 6 and 11 for P < 0.05. Conclusion: There has been wide adoption of social media among dental practitioners and shows no significant difference with different genders for both attitudes and practices.


2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Vahid Aqili ◽  
Alireza Isfandyari Moghaddam

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how the digital divide has become a common metaphor originating from now nearly obsolete phrases such as “information have and have nots” and “information rich and information poor”. The article aims to focus on several dimensions of the digital divide that pertain to service as well as the responsibilities of libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis article places emphasis on the role of librarians and information professionals in bridging the digital divide by indicating some aspects related to it as evidenced in the literature including its definition, aspects, factors affecting, and internet users.FindingsLibraries are treated as one of the major social tools which can solve the information divide rooted in the digital divide and contribute to the realization of democratic society.Research limitations/implicationsThis article revolves around the authors' points of view. So, further studies, especially comparative research between developed and developing countries which vary in terms of digital divide rate, can help to understand the real role librarians and information professionals play.Practical implicationsRethinking the digital divide, librarians must redesign and redefine their service menu for their customers through thinking functionally. They also need to review the various IT devices and information services available and examine which can be employed to present a more effective library service. In addition, policy‐makers should consider the vital role that librarians can play in the realization of knowledge‐based society and sustainable development.Originality/valueThis paper provides a theoretical basis for librarians to be more active and sedulous and policy‐makers to be vigilant and place much value for information sector and its professionals, particularly librarians working in various libraries.


Author(s):  
Kamil Demirhan

This chapter analyzes the capacity of social media usage and the social media strategies of political parties that became the members of Turkish Parliament after 2011 election. The social media usage increases in parallel to the improvements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and it becomes an important tool with its communicative functions to realize activities in social, political, and economic fields. In the globalization process, developments in ICTs and changes in the meaning of democracy have been realized parallel to each other. Politics has become more open to interaction and the participation of different actors. ICTs have created new opportunities to interaction and participation of social actors. These improvements require transformations in the role and functions of political parties. They have to arrange their programs and structures according to participative understanding of democracy and new technologies. Social media usage is seen as a requirement for political parties and party leaders for adaptation to these developments, and it is also seen as a device with its potential for realizing participation, communication, and interaction to adapt to the changes in the understanding of politics.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1196-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Demirhan

This chapter analyzes the capacity of social media usage and the social media strategies of political parties that became the members of Turkish Parliament after 2011 election. The social media usage increases in parallel to the improvements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and it becomes an important tool with its communicative functions to realize activities in social, political, and economic fields. In the globalization process, developments in ICTs and changes in the meaning of democracy have been realized parallel to each other. Politics has become more open to interaction and the participation of different actors. ICTs have created new opportunities to interaction and participation of social actors. These improvements require transformations in the role and functions of political parties. They have to arrange their programs and structures according to participative understanding of democracy and new technologies. Social media usage is seen as a requirement for political parties and party leaders for adaptation to these developments, and it is also seen as a device with its potential for realizing participation, communication, and interaction to adapt to the changes in the understanding of politics.


Author(s):  
N. Raghavendra Rao

Multidisciplinary experts are required to develop a model for resource management in a country. Various concepts in information and communication technology are required to be applied in designing and developing a model for the management of natural resources. The concepts such as cloud computing along with social media play an important role. Case illustrations are discussed in this chapter stressing the role of cloud computing along with the concepts of collaborative technology in developing models for the benefit of citizens in a country.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1622-1639
Author(s):  
Francesca Comunello

It is widely acknowledged that the label “digital divide” can be partially misleading, because it emphasizes a binary dichotomy (“haves vs. have nots”) and a mere technological dimension (in terms of physical availability of devices or conduits). Behind the dichotomous model, however, lie different use and adoption strategies. People cannot be described as being either in or out. Evaluating the complex relationships between technological, social, and human factors raises a number of questions, mainly related to the role of technology in social development. Moreover, we should also reconsider what is commonly meant by information and communication technology. In this chapter, I will try to introduce a multilevel model for analyzing the digital divide, focusing on effective access and new media literacy. The focus will be shifted from technology to humans. In every ICT for development project, local context and local needs should be regarded as the key factors.


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