Social Context of Computing Chapter 7 Digital Divide

Social Context of Computing Chapter 7

Digital Divide Technological inequalities Impact of communication technologies Radio Television Press Post offices Cell phones Computers Connectivity to internet Society’s social, economical, political and cultural institutions

Digital Divide Debatable Issues Is there such a thing as a digital divide What indicators measure it How to close the divide Five indicators of the digital divide.

Indicators of Digital Divide Access Technology Human. Ware Infrastructure Enabling Environment

Access Geography – statistics tell the story 88% Internet users in 1 -2 dozen wealthy countries 4% in developing world 40% of developed world 90% of worlds population in undeveloped countries Within US Urban vs suburb Income People with income > 75 K People earning < 15 K 4 times more likely to have online and computer access 19% have computer access and 12. 7% have online access People earning < 25 K 32% of population of US 9. 7% online

Access Ethnicity In U. S. African Americans and Hispanics are ½ as likely to have Internet access Age Highest use 18 -49 year olds Lowest use for those <9 and > 50 Direct relationship between higher education and Internet usage

Technology Hardware Quantity, quality, maintenance big challenges Unreliable power supplies Most hardware for underdevelopment countries comes from donations Replacement parts hampered by cost Software Humanware limited for local development Outsourcing very costly Software generally donated and doesn’t meet needs

Humanware (Human Capacity) Providing equipment not always the answer Need technical knowledge Lack for trained workers for maintenance Lack of teachers and institutions to train Technology needs to meet and serve the local need Issues Creating awareness of potential of IT to meet needs Creating, developing and strengthening capacity to use local inputs Creating, developing and strengthening capacity to add local value Provide knowledge and information sharing Prevent local capacity from being drained

Infrastructures Infrastructure related to access Infrastructure not directly related Electricity Telephones Good roads Airports Basic communication infrastructures

Enabling Environments Politics Good political environment ensures A climate of democratic rights and civil liberties Respect for the rule of law and security of property rights Investment in human capacity Low levels of government distortions Public policy and management styles Streamlined regulatory policies Uniform enforcement of laws Competitive policies for telecommunication and energy Regulatory policies efficient , predictable and easily understood Licensing bodies need to be efficient and staffed with professionals

ICT in the Workplace Electronic Office Mobility of the Modern Office Virtual Office Home Worker

Management Styles Theory X Autocratic Control from top Theory Y More fait and empowerment in the hands of employees Fear Management

Workplace Privacy and Surveillance Those who see monitoring as good Increase productivity More accurate assessment of employee performance Greater organizational control over employees Immediate feedback on individual employee More flexibility in work location Those opposed Invasion of employee privacy No national right to privacy

Is Electronic Monitoring in Workplace OK?

Electronic Monitoring Measure quality and usually the quality of work Measures effectiveness of worker Measures workers’ habits on and off the work premises

Effects of Electronic Monitoring Effect measure of performance Amount of useful feedback Relationship between employees and managment

Consequences of Electronic Monitoring Reduced task variety Lack of individual initiatives Reduced or no peer social support Lack of self-esteem Lack of interest in the job Lack of trust Alienation