Digital Development: Problems and Prospects

Introduction

The digital age has always been heralded with overwhelming fanfare, since its inception and wide adoption into different spheres of life. However, if hyperboles were to be set aside, to give way for a sober assessment into the intricacies of the digital movement, it would be obvious that the beginnings of the technological revolution have created huge amounts of personalized wealth, as well as much uncertainty among people (Marden, 2011). So far, most of the benefits of the digital age have been largely confined to the developed countries, which have the expertise and the wherewithal to fund such projects (Doctor, 2007). The newly industrialized economies (NIEs) also find it hard to keep pace with other developed countries, and maintain the speed of the rapidly changing technological world. Even worse, the developing countries are at an even more sorry state, as they are clearly unable to catch up with the fast-paced innovations. Thus, there is a distinct digital divide that is cumulatively developing between developed and developing countries, and is likely to continue widening, unless a coordinated action is put in place (Gao, Li, Xiao & Wan, 2012). This paper proceeds from the thesis that though technological advancement has brought a myriad of benefits and prospects in the society, it has equal magnitude of challenges and problems associated with it. Therefore, it discusses in the proceeding sections some of the problems and prospects that have accompanied the inception and adoption of the digital era.

The discussion on how introduction and functioning of the digital era including internet use is affecting democracy has been ongoing for the past two decades. Beginning from the theory of democracy and specifically those theories of public sphere, this paper identifies key issues and the current status of debates and knowledge on the above topic. It is argued that while there is presently no doubt that digitization has added new far-reaching forms and dimensions of discourse, there are obvious implications over the overall quality of democracy and life in general that have been brought by technology.

Benefits of Digitization

The most outstanding example of digitization in the current society is the digital library. It is regarded as the most crucial contribution of web technology in the field of library and information service. This initiative allows users to easily access information resources in a digital form from wherever they are, without necessarily having to visit a physical library. It is still comparable to the traditional library in many ways, but the only difference is that it presents books, journals and other information resources in a digital format, and it has greatly enhanced the access of information as well as use by exploiting communication and information technologies (Bearman, 2007). Researchers define digital libraries as a set of electronic resources and other associated technical capabilities that create, search, and use information. They are, in this context, an extension of information as well as retrieval systems which have the ability to manipulate data in any desired medium.

The two most common benefits of digitization include improved access to information and better preservation of documents (Bearman, 2007). A digital library can be used by numerous users simultaneously at any given point in time. In contrast to analogue and printed library collections, the digital format is not prone to damage due to frequent and extensive use. It is also helpful to distant learners as well as those who do not have time and resources to come to the library. Other benefits of digital libraries have also been mentioned: It brings information to the user; enhances timely access and use of information; improves collaboration among distant parties; improves searching and manipulation of available information; and reduces the gap between the digital divide(Marden, 2011).

Apart from the digital libraries, technology has also had major impacts in different aspects of the society. As a matter of fact, everyone experience the role of digital development in his/her life, especially towards the growth of the economy, living standards, and in the change of cultural practices. Advancements in technology have greatly improved the living standards of people in the society, with particular interest being drawn to the movement from analog systems to the digital era (Doctor, 2007). Despite the fact that the global economy is experiencing high rates of inflation and increased cases of unemployment, people are generally feeling better. For instance, editing and production of music and videos is currently done in a sleek manner, as compared to the traditional system that had low quality productions. Technology also has fundamental impacts on some crucial aspects of societal culture including the enactment and enforcement of laws, healthcare, art, language, education, religion, and mobility. For instance, the introduction of the electronic health records, which have made the use of physical records obsolete, is a great mileage in the field of healthcare, and has served to reduce substantially the occurrence of errors in the system of healthcare provision(Sapargaliyev, 2012). Moreover, it has shortened the waiting time, thereby enhancing faster service delivery in outpatient settings.

In the field of communication, digital development is widely applauded for its immense contribution. The wake of the 21^st century has seen the introduction of cloud computing which has enabled the emergence of seamless communication and sharing of files in the internet, thereby transforming the world into a global village. Artists do not have to be signed to major labels any more to further their popularity and enhance sales globally; instead, they easily contract internet gurus like MySpace, YouTube, and Yahoo! among others to carry out the sales on their behalf(Hindman, 2009). Additionally, educational materials and resources such as scholarly articles and journals are freely available in the internet, which have greatly improved access, use and manipulation of information. Another major breakthrough in the sector of communication is sharing of mails and proliferation of the social media. With these tools, individuals and corporate organs are able to send and receive information instantly at reduced costs over a large geographical space. The social media is also useful in advertisement and creation of awareness, especially by NGOs and other humanitarian organs(Doctor, 2007).

Progression of technology in the energy sector, retail outlets, and company operations has been remarkable. Previously, only natural materials and fossil fuels were the only known sources of energy. Innovation of ideas of fuel refinery and mining has led to the discovery and use of clean sources of energy, which are reduced in prices, and have less environmental risks. In retail outlets, digital development has been incorporated in the sales system, where the barcode readers are used to capture the nature and price of each commodity(Marden, 2011). These are just a few examples of how technology has been influential in transforming the lives in the society, including broadening the public sphere, and creating a collaborative forum where virtually everyone can participate.

Problems of Digital Development

Irrespective of all the above contributions and the fact that digitization has been widely manipulated to educate and create contacts among the public, it must be acknowledged that it has been accompanied with several drawbacks. One question that normally lingers in the hearts of many people is: why the slow adoption of technology, if its benefits are so obvious? In the context of digital libraries, two major problems featurein the process of its adoption. Firstly, lack of technical knowledge and support is one particular issue that has really slowed down its rate of adoption (Bearman, 2007). The technology that is required to provide services of digital library are rapidly and continually changing as commercial vendors and researchers expand the access of services and contents that can be incorporated into the system. As technology continues to change and improve, an equal evolution of an institution’s requirements and vision or a digitized libraryoccurs accordingly. It must be acknowledged that the software that is needed to support these services are dynamic and complex. It is, therefore, an uphill task an average library, which has limited access to technical resources, to institute and effectively manage the growth and development of an efficient, practical, digital library that would meet the unique needs and standards in the public (Sapargaliyev, 2012).

In addition, lack of sufficient funding has been identified as one of the most outstanding obstacles to technology adoption and development. Building and developing digital libraries requires huge financial inputs, which are largely unaffordable to most libraries and institutions. The budgetary allocation to most libraries cannot meet this threshold, and although millions of dollars have been spent in carrying out library research and development, a huge deficit still exists that needs to be filled (Bearman, 2007). Such huge expenditure offers a major barrier, especially to developing countries, thereby creating a technological divide among economies.

Apart from the digital library, other aspects of digital development are also faced with numerous problems. For instance, electronic commerce is an emerging field in business, and many multinational corporations are adopting the strategy, as it reduces production costs, as well as marketing charges. It creates a direct link between the manufacturer and the consumer, and eliminates middlemen, which goes a long way in reducing the final price of the commodity, and enhances creation of a personal touch between the two parties. However, there is lack of security especially on data shared within the cloud computing technology(Hindman, 2009). Crucial information such as credit card numbers may be hacked into and misused by unintended parties, and the company as well as the customers, are prone to fraud from fake parties. Security of information thus presents a major challenge in the digital movement, irrespective of countless efforts that have been instituted to override the risks involved.

Furthermore, adoption of technology is not just dependent on external forces alone, but also on innate forces borne within the adopters themselves. It has been found that people have some natural degree of reluctance and resistance towards new technology. In the technology adoption model, it is revealed that the propensity to act towards a new innovation is lower among individual leaders, starting from the early adopters, to the skeptics/laggards. The latter do not believe in the contribution of new technology, and view it as an unnecessary disturbance of the status quo(Hindman, 2009). Consequently, they do not make the necessary efforts to facilitate the development of new technology. In addition, most leaders are faced with the challenge of adjusting their schedules and process operations in a sophisticated work environment, which is normally tedious and time-consuming. In order to undertake all the required adjustments such as staff training and alterations of process flows, it is required of leaders that they put in more effort and judicious approach to make a successful breakthrough.

Although digital development has been pointed to generally make life easier, it has made the lives of others very difficult. Digitization brings about high levels of redundancy, and creates massive loss of jobs(Doctor, 2007). In the context of a digital library, very few operators are needed to keep the system running, as opposed to a physical library where service providers would have to be many. Though to companies and corporate organizations this system reduces the amount of money spent on wages and salaries, to an individual it is a source of unemployment, which translates to increased poverty levels (Gao, Li, Xiao & Wan, 2012). Even the national and global humanitarian bodies are concerned about the high levels of unemployment brought about by technology, but no plausible argument can be made to expunge technology and reinstate traditional systems of operations.

The use of technology in creating a connection among people globally is recognized as having a realizable impact in empowering them and giving them some level of autonomy over their ideas in many aspects. It has been largely quoted that digitization transforms the world into a global village, especially with the introduction of digital maps, and the proliferation of the global position systems (OAIster, 2013). People have the freedom and the opportunity to freely express their ideas and collaboratively share information over the internet, including educational resources that empower learning processes; music and video files that make it easier for one to access and download the desired product; and e-commerce that has brought the shop right at the comfort of everyone’s home. But the question of whether this system gives people greater autonomy is debatable; since it must be kept in mind that all these internet forums are owned by a few multinational corporations, who control what appears in the pages, and how they are put into use (Gao, Li, Xiao & Wan, 2012). When one visits a page that is deemed to be independent, it is not surprising to see adverts of another big corporation popping in the front homepage of the site, since these are the ones which control virtually everything in the internet world.

As has been earlier mentioned, cloud computing offers an opportunity for people to share data seamlessly over long and short distances, and some people also use websites such email accounts to store sensitive data. The cloud system is made in such a manner that data passes through a middleman, known as the server, to its final destination (Hindman, 2009). In some cases, the server may be open to fraudulent access and manipulation of data, which always puts this information at risk. Individuals are thus not in total control of their data, as cases of unintended access and use of data has always been reported over the years. With this, it is clear that digital development may be just another globalization myth that needs careful unraveling in order to succeed.

Prospects of Digital Development

The current nature of events and the trend of technological development provide a clear focus into the future of digitization. In the case of digital libraries, universities and other learning institutions which would want to join the league of developed countries would have to adopt the reciprocal use of satellite, at both the regional and national levels. In addition, wireless computing would also be adopted, including hotspots, Wi-Fi, and WI-MAX; sharing of trainers/expertise at both the regional and national levels to facilitate faster adoption of digitization; strengthening of the capacity of electronic power; establishment of wireless internet access for students in amphitheaters, offices, and rooms of residence; instituting regulatory bodies that would be mandated with supporting the development of the digitized library content; creation of virtual libraries and support base to connect all regional libraries for extended access to resources; mapping of networks that are already in existence, enhancing resource sharing through the system of data connectivity; and making the necessary policy reforms to pave way for ICT development.

In other aspects of digitization, it is possible that if economies invest in physical, intellectual as well as other forms of human capital, they may be able to forge a clear path for ICT development, as well create their own innovations. With the creation and adoption of relevant and supportive policies, digital development would be enhanced in a great magnitude, and the gap existing between technological divides would substantially reduce. Such creative policy interventions would be able to reduce cases of internet insecurity, and reduce the control and power enjoyed by a few multinationals, translating into more autonomy for the people. Thus, the rate of digital development would be equivalent to its benefits onto the society and individuals, and make a positive impact in the lives of users.

Conclusion

Digital development is occurring rapidly since its widespread adoption in the wake of the 21^st Century. Though it presents clear benefits with regards to positive transformation of lives, it has been accompanied with various problems, including insecurity, lack of data control/autonomy, and reduced levels of employment. With the adoption of the right policies, it is hypothesized that digitization would bring overwhelming benefits to all economies and reduce the technological divide between developed and developing countries.

List of References

Bearman, D. 2007. Digital Libraries.Annual Review of Information Science and Technology 41: 223-272.

Doctor, G. 2007. Knowledge sharing: developing the digital repository of SIPS. VINE: The Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 37(1): 64–73.

Gao, G, Li, N, Xiao, W, & Wan, W 2012, ‘The Study on the Development of Internet-based Distance Education and Problems’, Energy Procedia, 17, Part B, pp. 1362-1368.

Hindman, M. 2009, ‘The myth of digital democracy’, Princeton University Press.

Marden, P 2011, ‘The digitized public sphere: re-defining democratic cultures or phantasmagoria?’,Javnost-The Public, 18, 1, pp. 5-20.

OAIster,2013,‘Development of virtual libraries in India: problems and prospects’ Princeton University Press.

Sapargaliyev, D 2012, ‘E-Learning in Kazakhstan: Stages of Formation and Prospects for Development’, International Journal Of Advanced Corporate Learning, 5, 4, pp. 42-45.