Routledge Information Technology and Development Book

Explore a new perspective on bridging the digital divide with Information Technology and Development. This volume from the Routledge Studies in Development Economics series addresses why previous attempts to bring internet access to rural areas in developing countries have often failed to meet expectations. Many initiatives have operated on the assumption that direct access to technology is the only way to see results, but this often leads to missed opportunities. This book offers an original contribution to the ongoing debate regarding IT and developing nations. It suggests that the true value lies not in the internet itself, but in the information it provides. By utilizing an intermediary model, the benefits of the internet can be passed on to those who need them most, making digital information relevant and useful for rural communities. This work provides a fresh paradigm for delivering technological benefits to developing regions through more effective, indirect methods.