Bridging the digital divide : an international comparative analysis | |
| Author | Chul, Yoon Byung |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.SM-04-02 |
| Subject(s) | Information superhighway Digital divide |
| Note | A research study submitted in pa1tial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. SM-04-02 |
| Abstract | Only a few decades ago, all telecommunications services were delivered over copper wires. More recently, the world has witnessed explosive growth of mobile telephony and the widespread commercial deployment of the Internet. Today, a variety of new technologies, services and applications have led to a digital age of information communications technology (ICT) in which access has become a key component of peoples' lives. These changes hold so much promise. The convergence of technologies, its rapid rate of change and its impo11ance in the development of the economic, social, financial and educational sectors, is opening new opportunities in all spheres of our lives. At the same time, these changes have split up the world - the information rich and the information poor. Half the world's inhabitants have yet to make their first basic telephone call. Even fewer have used the Internet. As the pace of the technological revolution increases, so does the digital divide. This study explores the extent of digital divide between and within countries by comparing environment of digital infrastructure and social structure. In addition, this study describes and compares the activities of the governments to bridge the digital divide. This study reveals that the availability of ICT infrastructure is not evenly distributed in the world. The majority of digital infrastructures are centralized in developed countries, while the digital access environment in Asia and Africa is very poor. The unbalanced access to ICTs is also visible inside counhies. It exists in terms of sex, geographic location, income, education, and age. This study shows digital divide has a stt·ong relationship with the divide of social stt·ucture. The people in the countt·y with higher penetration of ICTs have access to Internet and get the information what they need. These activities can improve their learning and their career and enhance their economic activities. This study also shows major policies in a country for bridging the digital divide relate to develop digital infrastructure and expand public access sites across the country, to provide IT education and support and to develop the program for the rural area, school, and the information alienated class. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. SM-04-02 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Donyaprueth Krairit |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tang, John C.S.; Venkatesh, Sundar |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Government of Republic of Korea |
| Degree | Research report (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |