You may want to look at the general business case for serving the
poor as customers and entrepreneurs - as developed by CK
Prahalad. It is as true in the specific case of digital technology
as it is in the general case.
Also, think of it this way: Metcalfe's law states that the value of a
network equals approximately the square of the number of users of the
system. So leaving anyone off the network diminishes its value.
At 12:31 PM 2/13/2006, you wrote:
Hello to all...I'm an MBA student at Wharton conducting research on
the digital divide...I'm looking to make a business case for why
businesses (in particular the private sector) should invest their
resources (time, money, human capital, etc.) in programs that bring
those currently outside the digital revolution into the fold. My
focus is to develop a true value proposition that is based on
economics vs. social responsibility / equity.
I'd like the thoughts of this group relative to existing research or
data on this topic, if it exists, or minimally any reactions to the
following line of thinking (and more importantly, extensions with
points I've yet to consider):
1. For communication providers (comcasts, verizons, etc.) I believe
the value proposition is related to a potential untapped market--by
developing the technical / digital competency of this target
population, you are grooming potential customers for your products /
services (therefore the size of the divide becomes a very relevant
variable in the economics).
2. Developing additional supply for workforce needs (my guess is
that someone has probably done some research here---but not sure how
persuasive this is)
I'm hopeful that there is much to this that I've missed but those
are the initial stabs at creating the valuation proposition--which
can be simplified into creating addtional demand for products /
services and creating more supply to deliver these products /
services (as may be evident in my overview above, my thoughts are
very focused on the US and not a global perspective which may have
to be broadened to truly capture the value proposition for these
large organizations).
All thoughts welcomed...thanks in advance for your time and patience.
Regards,
Jim Smith
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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240.417.5111 cell
Kenan Patrick Jarboe, Ph.D.
Athena Alliance
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Washington, DC 20003-3903
(202) 547-7064
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http://www.IntangibleEconomy.org
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