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GRAD 695 Research Methodology & Writing
Proposal 1
Smartphones and Digital Divide
Praneeth Kumar, Pachimatla
7/29/2019
SMARTPHONES AND DIGITAL DIVIDE 2
Abstract
The technology is advanced and available in cities than compared to rural areas. This
creates a digital inequality for most of the population with no access to Information and
communication Technology (ICT). “Digital inequality” explains the difference in
individual’s ability to and access to technology. In this digital era, smartphones have
become accessible to all. Majority of the population is using smart phones now a days. In
most of the organization’s security authentication (second level of authentication) like
safeNet, MobilePass and DUO security etc. Firms are assuming that every individual has
a smartphone and introducing security policies based on that assumption. Due to this
second order inequality few individuals will have limited access and limited abilities to
use ICT. Digital inequality divides the society based on demographic factors like gender,
race and age. ICT excludes people with no smartphone from online education and
decreases their chances of returns. Corporates introducing security, communication and
authentication policies which mandates smartphone usage will result in a debatable social
and economic issue. Corporates like these are creating a negative impact on the
employees and diving them into two groups like with smartphone access and no
smartphone access. In this case corporates should introduce “Innovation Adoption” into
their organizations. Innovation adoption first goes through a foreseeable process and
gives an analysis on the outcome before it becomes widely adopted. We can expect
different group of adopters in this process and understand the difference among them.
SMARTPHONES AND DIGITAL DIVIDE 3
Introduction
The digital divide has led to a new and distinct society due to the influence of the
availability and connectivity to the internet. This is creating segregation in different
aspects today. Assessing the variations in accessing ICT amongst countries shows there is
a great variation. This shows the role that internet plays among the people. It has enabled
individuals to communicate from different locations in the world and also access other
services. However, there has been a great disparity in the adoption of ICT amongst ethnic
groups and races creating the digital divide. It has been manifested in the corporate
world, in education and other aspects such as access to government services and health.
The increasing gap of digital divide has a negative impact on industrialization.
The use of smartphones was thought to be the solution to the digital divide. However, it
has continued the gap that exists as opposed to resolving it. This is after the assumption
that every person has access to smartphones.
Digital Inequality in Corporate World
The corporate world is one of the areas that have experience growing digital
divide. This is on both the behaviors and the beliefs of interaction between the
management and employees as well as the outside world. Finding work in the digital
world has changed over time. People are required to have digital skills so as to access and
apply for jobs online (Golding, 2017). The greatest problem is that there is a gap when it
SMARTPHONES AND DIGITAL DIVIDE 4
comes to the skills. It is difficult for the individuals with digital skills or access to the
internet to participate in the same. Broadband has also become the driver to business
development(Golding, 2017). Therefore, this limits business development in the low
income and rural countries where access to internet is low.
Factors causing Digital Divide
There are many factors that contribute to the digital divide.
Poverty and Poor Infrastructure
This is the core factor contributing to digital divide. The rich and developing
countries have sufficient resources and funding for development of the
telecommunication infrastructure and equipment (Campos-Castillo, 2015). This is as
opposed to developing countries which have other important needs such as food security
and access to healthcare. As a result, the developed countries have more connection to the
internet on various devices as compared to the developing ones.
Corruption and Bureaucracy
Corruption and bureaucracy impede and deviate the much needed funds that can
be used for bridging the digital divide. Lack of formulation of government regulations
and proper surveillance deter the potential funders and investors(Campos-Castillo, 2015).
As such, this restricts and stagnates the telecommunication environment and hence
making it difficult to materialize.
SMARTPHONES AND DIGITAL DIVIDE 5
Education and Technical Support
Providing education in ICT is difficult because it is expensive. Poor infrastructure
causing problems such as electricity surges then there are connectivity limits and internet
access may be a problem. The budgets in educational institutes are restraining and it is
difficult to acquire funds for ICT trainings(Campos-Castillo, 2015). However, other
factors such as rurality, income levels and illiteracy also contribute to the problem of
digital divide.
Digital Divide in E-commerce Diverse
Certain individuals are profiting less from the digital opportunities due to limited
