The digital divide and social inclusion among refugee migrants: a case in regional Australia
Article
Article Title | The digital divide and social inclusion among refugee migrants: a case in regional Australia |
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ERA Journal ID | 17917 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Alam, Khorshed (Author) and Imran, Sophia (Author) |
Journal Title | Information Technology and People |
Journal Citation | 28 (2), pp. 344-365 |
Number of Pages | 22 |
Year | 2015 |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0959-3845 |
1758-5813 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-04-2014-0083 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/itp/28/2 |
Abstract | The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which influence refugee migrants’ adoption of digital technology and its relevance to their social inclusion in Australia. This research developed a conceptual framework keeping the 'use' of digital technology as the centre-piece of the digital divide. The empirical data were derived from a series of focus group discussions with refugee migrants in an Australian regional city, Toowoomba in Queensland. There is a digital divide among refugee migrant groups and it is based on inequalities in physical access to and use of digital technology, the skills necessary to use the different technologies effectively and the ability to pay for the services. The opportunities to use digital technology could support the social inclusion of refugee migrant groups in the broader Australian community. Further research is required to examine whether this digital divide is unique in the regional context or common to Australian society and to confirm factors that might contribute significantly to refugee migrants’ social inclusion. This paper determined the role digital technology can play in building social capital and hence social inclusion among refugee migrant groups. Many of the factors identified as influencing refugee migrants’ use of digital technology can inform the Australian government and the information and communication technology industry in devising supportive policies and plans to reduce the risk of social exclusion, alienation and marginalisation among refugee migrant groups. |
Keywords | social inclusion, digital divide, cross-cultural issues, Australia, information, refugee migrants |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 460806. Human-computer interaction |
380118. Urban and regional economics | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Commerce |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q2zw9/the-digital-divide-and-social-inclusion-among-refugee-migrants-a-case-in-regional-australia
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