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Van Rheede, Farinaas (2023) A study of how digital inequality impacts remote work: Perception of Information Technology professionals in the Cape Town, South African public sector. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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Abstract
Remote work has become a modern day reality and current trends indicate that the future of work will increasingly involve remote working from home in some form or another, a nation with significant digital disparities will put those with limited access to technology, especially the internet and related online services, at a disadvantage. Socioeconomic inequalities that historically existed in South Africa was as a result of the Apartheid policies, and research have shown that these disparities and inequalities still exist in post-Apartheid South Africa.
This research study was conducted at a local government organisation in Cape Town, South Africa. Historical Socioeconomic disparities that obstinately exist today across the country have affected various aspects of daily life for average citizens, particularly in the digital world. The research's findings would contribute to existing knowledge by broadening understanding of spatial, education, and income disparities and how these impact digital inequality.
This qualitative research study primary objective was to understand how Information Communications and Technologies (ICT) may become a barrier to employee’s remote working in the public sector in Cape Town. The study's main goal was to uncover more about people's feelings and experiences about digital inequality and other factors that affect remote work. In this study, the same participants who took part in the focused group interview also took part in eight semi-structured interviews. There was one focused group interview with eight participants. The eight one-on-one interviews were conducted to ensure data integrity, validate that the information gathered during the focused group interview was still relevant and accurate, and to reduce researcher bias.
The research study's conclusions show that the digital divide, or the gap in access to ICT technologies, particularly the internet and related services, is a modern day reality in Cape Town, South Africa, and that these digital disparities are increasing. The results of the interviews show that South African society is still segregated along racial lines, with historically underprivileged groups still finding it challenging to compete economically with historically privileged groups under Apartheid rule.
The salary gap between skilled and unskilled labour is expanding at an alarming rate as organizations digitize, automate processes, and minimize manual interaction, with education playing a crucial role in South Africa's labour market. Additionally, this study shows the lack ICT investment in poor areas, and how corruption in the South African government and the South African power crisis, continue to stifle the country's economic growth.
Both the public and private sector in Cape Town, must work together to invest in ICT infrastructure, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas, in order to close the digital gaps that currently exists. This would help the residents of Cape Town to gain access to the internet and online services.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Name Email Hughes, Caitriona UNSPECIFIED |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Equal Opportunity in Employment H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > I.T. Industry H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Hours of Labour > Flexible work arrangements > Telecommuting |
| Divisions: | School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management |
| Depositing User: | Tamara Malone |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Feb 2024 16:18 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Feb 2024 16:18 |
| URI: | https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6952 |
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