Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2007. / Today we face a reality where existing power relations concerning economical, political and
cultural institutions and forces are changing. It is about more than just the right to use a
technology in itself; it is a matter of having, or not having, access to infonnation and knowledge.
The use of information and communications technology (lCT) is an important and powerful tool
when it comes to distributing and sharing these resources (Bridges.arg, 2006). The unequal
distribution of and the differences in the possibility to use rer effectively are often referred to by
the term digital divide (DDN, 2006). Does this sound quite pessimistic?
However, a change is taking place since all countries on earth from the richest to the poorest are
actually increasing their Ier usage. The problem is that the developed countries are using
convergence (three separate communication sectors: information technology,
telecommunications and broadcasting merging to become a single communication service sector)
to escalate their access to and use of ICf at a much higher speed, which in fact widens the digi tal
divide instead of shrinking it (Bridges.org, 2006). Today no country can afford to neglect
investments in ICf if it wishes to raise its living standards or to prevent it from being left behind
as other countries exploits the possibilities of ICf. Why is ICf considered to be an effective tool
for bridging the international digita1 divide? On the United Nations Development Programme's
website one can read: " .. .ICf is an increasi ngly powerful tool for participating in global markets;
promoting political accountability; improving the delivery of basic services; and enhancing local
development opportunities" (UNOP, 2003). These aspects can be of great importance for
developing countries in their effort to gain economic development and improvements.
Furthermore, it is also a question about every human's right to have access to infonnation (Sida,
2004).
According to Steve Case (AOL Time Warner, Chainnan of the Board) every decade has some
word associated with it. In the 'SOs, it was the PC. In the '90s, it was the Internet. For the rest of
this decade, the key word is going to be convergence (Thompson, 2003).
In Namibia a digital divide exists between income groups as well as between the country's rural
and urban population. Namibia is sti ll far from providing equal access to information, but
Namibia is well positioned to deploy ICf to its advantage. Namibia has a functional
telecommunication infrastructure, political stability and an attractive economic environment for
investors. However. the geographic and social challenges of Namibia require innovative
approaches and considerable effort. Competition and convergence will improve the situation.
recommended to expand the set of potential drivers and specifically focus on the relation
between convergence and economic growth.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/19806 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Coetzee, Coenraad J. W. |
| Contributors | Burger, A., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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