Abstract
The amalgamation of modern innovation, technological skills, and processes used to establish business models and satisfy customers in different societies is referred to as digital transformation. Digital transformation facilitates the development of economies, ways of doing business, and social constructs among marginalized communities. Digital inclusiveness has significantly been applied in a number of areas in communities and resource-constrained environments such as health, education, and agriculture. A systematic literature review was carried out. The authors find out that inclusiveness has great opportunities and challenges in digitally transforming marginalized communities. The implementation of interconnected digital innovation technologies provides new challenges and opportunities spanning the whole of Africa. This chapter explores the key drivers of digital technologies, the contribution of technology, gender imbalances, and challenges and opportunities for digital inclusiveness in remote areas.
TopBackground To The Study
Society considers digital inclusion as the solution to the challenges and opportunities that marginalized communities face in their business activities (Trendov et al., 2019; Group, 2019). However, contributions by researchers who are interested in the historical developments of technological revolutions suggest caution on this solution to marginalized communities (Bronson, 2019; Nettle & Rue, 2019). Technological innovation is given at a cost; it is not for free but normatively laden and driven by different people's views and visions. Currently, digital technologies may have a number of undesirable effects, which may hinder digital inclusion for possible transformation of marginalized communities, for example, problems that emanate once these technologies are put in place (Klerkx & Begemann, 2020; Pansera et al., 2019; Scholz et al., 2018). A number of authors argued that instead of digital transformation of marginalized communities and digital inclusiveness reinforces the available systems which are deemed unsustainable economically, socially, ecologically, and only conducive incumbent for large and financially stable players (Clapp & Ruder, 2020; Cowie et al., 2020; Miles, 2019; Prause et al., 2021). The potential of digital inclusivity and strategies for the digital transformation of marginalized communities put together with the socioeconomic conditions definitely will necessitate or influence digitalization processes if taken into account (Klerkx & Begemann, 2020).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Digital Divide: The gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT), and those that don't or have restricted access.
Remote Area: Are areas away from cities and places where most people live, and are therefore difficult to get to.
Digital Infrastructure: The digital technologies that provide the foundation for an organization's information technology and operations.
Technological Innovation: Is an extended concept of innovation. While innovation is a rather well-defined concept, it has a broad meaning to many people, and especially numerous understanding in the academic and business world.
Information Communication and Technology: Is the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing.
Marginalized Communities: Are groups and communities that experience discrimination and exclusion (social, political, and economic) because of unequal power relationships across economic, political, social and cultural dimensions.
Digital inclusion: Digital inclusion involves the activities necessary to ensure equitable access to and use of information and communication technologies for participation in social and economic life including for education, social services, health, social and community participation.
Digital Transformation: The amalgamation of modern innovation, technological skills, and processes used to establish business models and satisfy customers in different societies.