world e inclusion
... ¡± Given the poverty and severe technological shortcomings of the developing world, the challenge of closing the digital divide seems particularly daunting. ... Prahalad, the more than four billion poor persons living in the developing world provide a major opportunity for those firms willing to take on the challenge. Hewlett-Packard¡¯s World e-Inclusion is an initiative that fits the model envisioned by Prahalad and his supporters. It is designed to develop the profit potential of the developing world through the diffusion of digital technology that can enhance the development process. ... The "DIGITAL DIVIDE" As was indicated, the divide exists even in the developed world and has been examined by both the United States government and the Organization for Cooperation and Development (Commerce 2000; OECD 2000). ... and OECD see raising the level of digital inclusion as a necessary national goal. ... This digital chasm between the rich and poor nations of the world is seen as exacerbating the struggle out of poverty by providing yet another obstacle to sustainable economic development. Prahalad puts it this way: The spread of the internet will revolutionize the world as we know it. ... For the latter to happen, the elite of the world-politicians, academics, bureaucrats and managers-must re-examine their own models of the benefits of the internet. ... Prahalad sees the billions living in the lesser-developed world as a vast untapped market whose aggregate purchasing power is huge. ... However, to successfully tap this market, they must rethink their business models, products, and services originally developed for the advanced, industrial world. Though it may seem counterintuitive, he believes the potential return on investment selling information technology in these poor countries is greater than for the developed world. ... This point recognizes the fact that creativity is not a monopoly of the developed world. ... Another angle would be the marketing of goods and services via e-commerce over the internet rather than ¡°brick and mortar¡± facilities. ... World e-Inclusion Hewlett-Packard calls its initiative ¡°World e-Inclusion. ... It is their attempt to close the so-called ¡°digital divide¡± which is alleged to be a major factor in retarding sustainable development in much of the underdeveloped world. Given the nature of the Hewlett-Packard business, this strategy will involve a significant transfer of technology to the developing world. ... However, although it may ultimately involve the donation of equipment valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, these donations are part of a focused effort to develop relationships that will be profitable both for Hewlett-Packard and the numerous alliances it hopes to create and cultivate in many of the world¡¯s poorest countries. ... The common denominator will be a serious void in the existence of the information technology that has become so pervasive in the developed world. ... The World e-Inclusion initiative is supported by a stellar advisory board (HP 2000a) and has been well-received by the many involved in the global development process (HP 2000d). Sustainability and World e-Inclusion Environmental, social, and economic sustainability are fundamental benchmarks of World e-Inclusion (HP 2000e). ... In accepting these three aspects of sustainability as core beliefs against which the success of World e-Inclusion is to be measured, Hewlett-Packard has given itself an enormous challenge. ... THE SPECIFICS OF THE WORLD E-INCLUSION STRATEGY As it is enunciated by Hewlett-Packard, the World e-Inclusion strategy focuses on five areas where information technology can provide solutions that are critical to sustainable economic development. One area of attention will be e-health with the emphasis on telemedicine applications in diagnostic and consulting services. On-line educational objectives include both basic literacy and vocational training while a related area of attention will be the creation of information based e-jobs. Improved access to global markets will be the desired outcome of e-commerce applications which will feature local crops and crafts. And finally e-money applications will involve the development of microcredit and other financial services (HP 2000c).