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Exploring the Fundamental Factors of Digital Inequality in Bangladesh

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  • Muhammad Nazrul Islam
  • Toki Tahmid Inan

Abstract

Digital inequality is imperative to combat the perpetuation of national development and significantly exists in developing countries. Thus, the purpose of this article is to provide the underlying factors of creating digital inequality in Bangladesh. A mixed-method research approach was followed where both the qualitative and quantitative data were collected using focus group discussion (FGD), semi-structured interviews, and survey. The FGD and interviews were replicated with a total of 60 participants (each study with 30 participants), while 326 respondents participated in the survey study. The content analysis, word cloud, affinity diagram, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. As an outcome, the studies revealed 23 factors that create digital inequality in Bangladesh. The factors were clustered into five groups (referred as elements) of digital inequality through an affinity diagram. The resultant elements of digital inequality were educational, infrastructural, social, economic, and usable design. The results reflect on what factors should consider ensuring the inclusion, adoption, and contributions of information and communications technology in Bangladesh, which in turn contributes to reducing the digital inequality in Bangladesh. As a practical contribution, this research provides an in-depth scenario of digital inclusion and exclusion in Bangladesh, and the underline factors of creating digital inequality, so that nongovernmental organizations and government organizations may take necessary initiatives toward each dimension of digital inequality. The results also include identification of future research agenda toward reducing digital inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Nazrul Islam & Toki Tahmid Inan, 2021. "Exploring the Fundamental Factors of Digital Inequality in Bangladesh," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:21582440211021407
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440211021407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Nazrul Islam & Md. Arman Ahmed & A.K.M. Najmul Islam, 2020. "Chakuri-Bazaar: A Mobile Application for Illiterate and Semi-Literate People for Searching Employment," International Journal of Mobile Human Computer Interaction (IJMHCI), IGI Global, vol. 12(2), pages 22-39, April.
    2. Hanna Kreitem & Massimo Ragnedda & Glenn W. Muschert, 2020. "Digital Inequalities in European Post-Soviet States," Societies and Political Orders in Transition, in: Sergey Davydov (ed.), Internet in Russia, pages 3-15, Springer.
    3. Zahiruddin Md. Babar, 2017. "Digital Divide: Concepts and Reality in Bangladesh," Journal of Business, LAR Center Press, vol. 2(2), pages 24-33, March.
    4. Arpan Kumar Kar & Vigneswara Ilavarasan & M. P. Gupta & Marijn Janssen & Ravi Kothari, 2019. "Moving beyond Smart Cities: Digital Nations for Social Innovation & Sustainability," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 495-501, June.
    5. Mariscal, Judith, 0. "Digital divide in a developing country," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5-6), pages 409-428, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Md Jahangir Alam & Keiichi Ogawa & Sheikh Rashid Bin Islam, 2023. "e-Learning as a Doubled-Edge Sword for Academic Achievements of University Students in Developing Countries: Insights from Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, April.

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