Document Type
Book Chapter
Subject Area(s)
Telework, Digital technologies, Digital Inclusion, ICT use models, India
Abstract
This research focuses on ICT adoption and digital use by teleworkers operating from their homes during the pandemic in India. A two-phase mixed-method approach is used: Phase 1 involved in-depth interviews with three individuals during the pandemic, findings from which were used along with the Factors Affecting Digital Inclusion (FDI) model (Thompson & Paul, 2020) to develop the survey instrument for Phase 2. This survey was distributed to professionals via listservs, and the FDI model was subsequently utilized to analyze the survey responses. The study’s findings highlighted multiple factors related to digital inclusion among teleworkers that could impact work productivity. Among these factors, key ones included digital literacy, time, physical access and everyday life. The exceptional circumstances of the pandemic allowed us to identify and incorporate two additional factors, namely, device sharing and considerations related to health and lifestyle, into the FDI model. These factors assumed significance when assessing the elements of physical access and daily life, aspects that might have otherwise remained unexplored. Though digital technologies are going to play an important role in the new normal, there must be careful considerations of its impact on the teleworker’s life based on the results of our study. The teleworker’s characteristics, family circumstances, and living conditions are important considerations in supporting and maintaining productivity when enforcing teleworking policies. It is imperative that businesses adopt a forward-looking perspective, considering the latest technological developments redefining workers’ way of life.
Publication Info
Preprint version Rethinking ICT Adoption Theories in the Developing World, ed. E. Eliu, J. S. Pettersson, R. Baguma, & G. Bhutkar, 2024, pages 23-45.
Rights
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
APA Citation
Paul, A., Yadamsuren, B., & Thompson, K. M. (2024). Digital usage of Indian teleworkers in home settings: A digital inclusion framework. In E. Eliu, J. S. Pettersson, R. Baguma, & G. Bhutkar (Eds.). Rethinking ICT adoption theories in the developing world (pp. 23-45). Springer.