Exploring the Fundamental Factors of Digital Inequality in Bangladesh

Abstract

Digital inequality is imperative to combat the perpetuation of national development and significantly exists in developing countries. Thus, the purpose of this article is to provide the underlying factors of creating digital inequality in Bangladesh. A mixed-method research approach was followed where both the qualitative and quantitative data were collected using focus group discussion (FGD), semi-structured interviews, and survey. The FGD and interviews were replicated with a total of 60 participants (each study with 30 participants), while 326 respondents participated in the survey study. The content analysis, word cloud, affinity diagram, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. As an outcome, the studies revealed 23 factors that create digital inequality in Bangladesh. The factors were clustered into five groups (referred as elements) of digital inequality through an affinity diagram. The resultant elements of digital inequality were educational, infrastructural, social, economic, and usable design. The results reflect on what factors should consider ensuring the inclusion, adoption, and contributions of information and communications technology in Bangladesh, which in turn contributes to reducing the digital inequality in Bangladesh. As a practical contribution, this research provides an in-depth scenario of digital inclusion and exclusion in Bangladesh, and the underline factors of creating digital inequality, so that nongovernmental organizations and government organizations may take necessary initiatives toward each dimension of digital inequality. The results also include identification of future research agenda toward reducing digital inequality.