Bridging digital divide in Bangladesh: study on community information centers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss different attempts that have been made to bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh, with special focus on the Community Information Centers (CICs), which are playing a unique and innovative role in reducing the digital gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study and is based on a survey method for collecting information through telephone (outbound call center). Besides these, internet, personal visits (as a project member) and other secondary sources such as research reports, Grameenphone internal reports, articles are used.

Findings

This paper highlights the existing initiatives which are bridging the break to build digital Bangladesh and focuses on how CIC is bridging the divide.

Research limitations/implications

This study will usher a new era for its internal values and the findings can be used by the advisory committees. The outcome of this study may, however, empower policy makers to make a decision and it is suggested that discussion and further writings are needed to bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the very few studies which focus on the prospects of Community Information Centers in Bangladesh, particularly breaking the digital discrimination between rural and urban areas.

Citation

Islam, A. and Tsuji, K. (2011), "Bridging digital divide in Bangladesh: study on community information centers", The Electronic Library, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 506-522. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471111156768