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 HumanWare 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 > 75K    4 times more likely to have online and computer access People earning < 15K  19% have computer access and 12.7% have online access People earning < 25K   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

   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 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