The challenge of e-participation in the digital city: Exploring generational influences among community telecentre users

A primary challenge for the development of e-government and the digital city is participation by low-income, older and technology-challenged citizens. This paper reports on the role of inter-generational interactions in community telecentres in facilitating low-income, older and technology-challenge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Telematics and informatics 2011-08, Vol.28 (3), p.204-214
Main Authors: Bailey, Arlene, Ngwenyama, Ojelanki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Community informatics
Digital cities
e-Government
e-Participation
Electronic government
Government
Social inclusion
Telecentres
Urban areas
Virtual communities
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Summary:A primary challenge for the development of e-government and the digital city is participation by low-income, older and technology-challenged citizens. This paper reports on the role of inter-generational interactions in community telecentres in facilitating low-income, older and technology-challenged citizens in gaining access and using digital city infrastructure. Our research also finds that virtual communities are playing a role in supporting e-participation among older, technology-challenged citizens. We examine the influence and interaction of members of offline communities, who use telecentres, on virtual community participation. These communities and telecentres can provide support for the provision of e-services and the development of the digital city. We explore these issues based on empirical field research in community-based telecentres in a developing country. Inter-generational interactions are explored through an analysis using social networks, social identity and social representations theories.
ISSN:0736-5853
1879-324X
DOI:10.1016/j.tele.2010.09.004