Information technology (computers, communication, etc.) has become an indispensable part of modern life. As such, it is being transferred to the developing world from industrialized countries. However, real technology transfer rarely takes place in such transactions. What the Third World ends up with are prepackaged end products, for which it typically pays a great deal of money. As long as the industrialized countries hesitate to share their research and manufacturing methods, the developing nations will be at their mercy in this vital area. The Third World, in turn, should not expect a "free ride" in this connection, but should develop an information technology of its own.
Abbott, Eric A. (author), Yarbrough, J. Paul (author), and Abbott: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Iowa State University; Yarbrough: Department of Communication, Cornell University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06428
James F. Evans Collection, New communication technologies such as the microcomputer, videotex/teletext systems, the videocassette recorder, and satellite receiving dishes have been available to farmers since the early 1980s. This longitudinal study examines ethical issues associated with the impact that differential patterns of adoption and use of these technologies have had on inequalities among farmers from 1982 to 1989. The results demonstrate a strong adoption and use bias toward larger scale farmers who already have well-developed skills for handling information. This bias is especially strong for microcomputer and videotex/teletex systems and it is increasing over time. Although the same farmers are not adopting all communication innovations, there is a strong tendency toward the already information-rich making the most use of the innovations they adopt. The article concludes with several recommendations that would help minimize some of these information inequalities. (original)
