IT in a global economy chapter 19 discussion

  Chapter 19: eParticipation, Simulation Exercise and Leadership Training in Nigeria: Bridging the Digital Divide 

• CHAPTER SUMMARY: Summarize chapter presented during the week. Identify the main point (as in “What’s your point?”), thesis, or conclusion of the key ideas presented in the chapter.
• SUPPORT: Do research outside of the book and demonstrate that you have in a very obvious way. This refers to research beyond the material presented in the textbook. Show something you have discovered from your own research. Be sure this is obvious and adds value beyond what is contained in the chapter itself. 
• EVALUATION: Apply the concepts from the appropriate chapter. Hint: Be sure to use specific terms and models directly from the textbook in analyzing the material presented and include the page in the citation.
• SOURCES: Include citations with your sources. Use APA style citations and references. 

ITS 832
Chapter 19

eParticipation, Simulation Exercise and Leadership
Training in Nigeria: Bridging the Digital Divide

Information Technology in a Global Economy

Overview

• Introduction

• Theoretical Framework

• Application of eParticipation

• Leadership Training in Nigeria

• Conclusions

Introduction
• Digital divide

• Access to information and communications technology (ICT)
• Divide takes place when developing countries go backwards on

technology, and developed countries advance exponentially.

• Increasingly difficult for lagging countries
• Chapter addresses the need to bridge the digital gap within and across

countries.

• eParticipation
• Increasing utilization, application and adaptation of ICT in eGovernance
• Key to bridging the digital divide
• Lagging countries need ICT capacity to support eParticipation

• Nigeria
• Sample case
• Leaders not well versed in technology
• How can eParticipation and leadership training bridge the digital divide?

Theoretical Framework
• Theories of eParticipation capacity application

• Structuration theory
• Structures are produced and altered as a result of human activity (i.e. as a response

to needs)

• Institutional theory
• Institutional environment influences existing structures by incorporating

innovative new ideas

• Actor-Network theory
• Individuals are separate actors

• Relationships between actors are mapped, forming networks

• All influence
• The framework presented yields to the proposition that complex situations

might appear simpler.

• The framework GENERATE: 1) Principles, 2) Practices AS COMMON
DENOMINATORS.

• This proposition is use to test and apply the hypothesis that eParticipation can
bridge the digital divide.

Application of eParticipation in
Simulation Exercise

• Digital Opportunity Index (DOI)
• Operates on a e-index – ICT performance indicators

• eParticipation when applied to simulation exercises
• Involve use of ICT as tools

• ICT tools in eParticipation include
• Connection devices

• Visualization and engagement software

• Social media interaction

Leadership Training in Nigeria
• National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)

• Nigerian leadership training institution
• Government think tank: serves as center for research, lectures, workshops,

seminars, and other courses to achieve the national goals.

• Crisis Simulation Game
• Players are briefed on theme, rules, roles, scenario
• Participants are encourage to show and make the event as real as possible.
• Players are encourage to use equipment, and electronic gadgets for

enhancement of performance.

• Study game theme was “political zoning”

• Nigerian application of eParticipation is basic
• Less sophisticated than most other nations
• Lagging behind generally
• Personnel were eager to incorporate more advanced ICT

Conclusions

• Nigerian NIPSS Crisis SimulationGame
• Case study for assessing digital divide

• Main conclusion: digital divide is a global problem
• Not a local one
• Must be addressed from the bottom up

• Recommendations
• eParticipation must be more globally available
• Less developed countries must prioritize move toward eGovernance
• Citizens must be encouraged to engage in eParticipation
• eParticipation, eGovernance, and eDemocracy legislation is beneficial at all

levels of government

• The UN should continue to improve programs that support eParticipation