Strategic, value-based ICT investment as a key factor in bridging the digital divide

The reality of the digital divide—the gap between those who have access to and control of technology and those who do not—means that the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) at different levels of human endeavour would be a challenging undertaking. Failure to meet the challenge would mean a further widening of the knowledge gap and the deepening of existing economic and social inequalities. This paper presents a multi-directional, value-based ICT investment conceptual model that is aimed at assisting developing countries in realizing goal-oriented benefits on their investment in ICT. The model identifies adequate ICT planning at the strategic level, targeted at supporting developmental objectives as a prerequisite for realizing the objective of investment in ICT.