|
Special Issue focusing on:
to be published in April 2005
Guest Editor: Dr. Shu-Fen
Tseng
|
|
Digital Divide, the term used by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to refer to the large differences in information technology (IT) access by low income groups, minorities, women and the elderly, among other groups in society. Since 1995, the term has been widely interpreted to cover a variety of gaps in American society, as well as differences between Western countries and the rest of the world. Despite the dramatic growth of internet connectivity, IT disparities within a nation and between countries have existed. What is most important is not so much the physical access of computer and internet but rather people!&s ability to make use of those technologies to engage in meaningful social practices. An access that goes beyond physical connectivity and makes it possible for people to use technology effectively to improve their lives is vital to close the digital and social divides.
In this special issue, contributors are encouraged to move beyond the usual definitions of the divide in the sense of simple access, and to focus attention on social processes and behavior once access had been achieved. Contributors should provide new insights for research and practices that address the following issues: (1) Understanding and redefining the digital divide; (2) How does the digital divide differ within and across countries, and what are the reasons account for the disparities? (3) Bridging the digital divide to digital opportunity for all, how does the effective integration of communication and information technology meet social development challenges? Conceptual and empirical papers are both welcomed.
Topics of relevance may include, but are not limited to:
Submission of papers : 01 June, 2004
Notification of acceptance : 01 December, 2004
Publication schedule : Summer 2005 (Vol.4, No.3)
Papers must not have been published, accepted for publication, or presently be under consideration for publication elsewhere. A standard double-blind review process will be used to select papers for the special issue.
The submitted manuscripts should follow the format as outlined in the "Notes for Intending Authors" found on the IJIEM Website (see URL below). Electronic submission in Word 6.0+ or PDF format is required. Please follow the guidelines prescribed by "Submission of papers" on the IJIEM Website. Accepted papers must follow the guidelines posted at http://www.icebnet.org/author/ to format the final papers.
For any questions and article submissions, the special issue editor can be reached at the following address:
Dr. Shu-Fen Tseng
Guest Editor, IJIEM
Graduate School of Social Informatic
Yuan Ze University
135 Yuan Tung Road
Chung Li 320, Taiwan
Phone (+886) 3 463 8800 ext. 650
Fax (+886) 3 463 8884
gssftseng@saturn.yzu.edu.tw
For more information on the Journal, please visit the IJIEM
web site:
http://www.icebnet.org/ijiem.html