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International Journal of Trend in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)Research and Development (IJTSRD)
International Open Access JournalInternational Open Access Journal | www.ijtsrd.comwww.ijtsrd.com

ISSN No: 2456 ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | Conference Issue – ICDEBIICDEBI-2018

INTERNATIONAL CONINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL ECONOMY AND FERENCE ON DIGITAL ECONOMY AND

ITS IMPACT ON BUSINESS AND TS IMPACT ON BUSINESS AND INDUSTRYINDUSTRY

Organised By: V. P. Institute of Management Studies & Research, SangliOrganised By: V. P. Institute of Management Studies & Research, SangliOrganised By: V. P. Institute of Management Studies & Research, Sangli

Digitlal Economy and Digital Divide: lal Economy and Digital Divide: Balancing for or Growth

Dr. T. V. G. Sarma
Associate Professor Professor & Head Department of Economics,
Chhatrapati Shahu Institute of Business Education & Research,of Business Education & Research, Kolhapur, MaharashtraMaharashtra, India

ABSTRACT
The paper examines the issue of the "digital divide" in The paper examines the issue of the "digital divide" in emphasizing the importance of technolemphasizing the importance of technological
all societies. It becomes more serious when the all societies. It becomes more serious when the knowledge for people from all walks of life. In other knowledge for people from all walks of life. In other
societies are already imbalanced with regard to societies are already imbalanced with regard to words these individual and organizational initiatives words these individual and organizational initiatives
economic and social structures. The people with economic and social structures. The people with are attempting to reduce the ‘Digital Divide’ being are attempting to reduce the ‘Digital Divide’ being
access are becoming richer while the poor are being access are becoming richer while the poor are being experienced among all age groups in the society.experienced among all age groups in the society.
left behind aggravating the divide further. In this left behind aggravating the divide further. In this
information era where earning is a function of information era where earning is a function of 2. DEFINITION OF DIGITAL DIVIDE:DEFINITION OF DIGITAL DIVIDE:
learning the digital divide will keep a vast section of learning the digital divide will keep a vast section of In the recent years the dependence of people on recent years the dependence of people on
the society in dark age due to lack of access to he society in dark age due to lack of access to computers has increased for performing all types of computers has increased for performing all types of
information. This is the exact issue of digital divide. information. This is the exact issue of digital divide. tasks. The ability of a person to access the computers tasks. The ability of a person to access the computers
This divide is not going to reduce unless there is a This divide is not going to reduce unless there is a and technological gadgets has increased his and technological gadgets has increased his
conscious effort from the policy makers and planners.. conscious effort from the policy makers and planners.. knowledge about the social and economic events knowledge about the social and economic events
As it is stated correcting the digital diviAs it is stated correcting the digital divide, will happening in different countries. But everyone in the ferent countries. But everyone in the
provide the greatest opportunity for people to come provide the greatest opportunity for people to come society is not able to access this technology with ease. society is not able to access this technology with ease.
out of poverty and ignorance. But the study shows the out of poverty and ignorance. But the study shows the The concept of digital divide refers to the gap The concept of digital divide refers to the gap
gap is continuously expanding throwing a big gap is continuously expanding throwing a big between the people who are able to access the between the people who are able to access the
challenge to the planners to balance the twin objective challenge to the planners to balance the twin objective technology and the people who are not able to access technology and the people who are not able to access
of growth in digitization and reduction of growth in digitization and reduction in the digital it for variety of reasons. The people falling under the of reasons. The people falling under the
divide. c
category of less or no access at all are the poor, ategory of less or no access at all are the poor,
handicapped, rural and senior citizens. andicapped, rural and senior citizens.
h
1. INTRODUCTION
The Digital Economy world over is creating fastest The Digital Economy world over is creating fastest 3. REASONS FOR DIGITAL DIVIDE:REASONS FOR DIGITAL DIVIDE:
generation of wealth that was never experienced in the generation of wealth that was never experienced in the Along with the fast growth of technology there is Along with the fast growth of technology there is
history of mankind. The growth is the result of the history of mankind. The growth is the result of the equivalent or still faster growth of theequivalent or still faster growth of the digital divide.
belief that business and society will be guided by belief that business and society will be guided by A section of the society that is already connected that A section of the society that is already connected that
technology and the world of computers in the coming technology and the world of computers in the coming includes the rich and educated, are adopting new includes the rich and educated, are adopting new
years. This presumption is surprising as vast majority years. This presumption is surprising as vast majority technologies very fast and becoming more connected. technologies very fast and becoming more connected.
of people still do not have access to basic of people still do not have access to basic On the other hand there is the other section which has On the other hand there is the other section which has
technological knowledge and resources. Except of technological knowledge and resources. Except of less access to internet and computers are lagging far computers are lagging far
few pockets of cities world over there is lack of few pockets of cities world over there is lack of behind. Number of studies have also highlighted that behind. Number of studies have also highlighted that
education and teaching resources for making this ion and teaching resources for making this this divide is becoming wider across the various this divide is becoming wider across the various
dream a reality. economic and social classes.

Recognising this gap the individual and government Recognising this gap the individual and government LEVEL OF EDUCATION:LEVEL OF EDUCATION:
T
organisations are offering outreach programs in the organisations are offering outreach programs in the The gaps in the levels of education appear to be he gaps in the levels of education appear to be
fundamentals of the emerging technologies. They are fundamentals of the emerging technologies. They are widening the digital divide. People with high level de. People with high level

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