INTERNET TECHNOLOGY USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE RURAL POPULATION OF IHIALA VILLAGE IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Description

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTERS
1. OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH 1
Study Background 1
Statement of Research Problem 7
Study Objectives 9
Significance of the Study 10
Significance of Ihiala to the Study of Rural Population of Africa 12
Definition of Terms 16
Organization of the Dissertation 19
Summary 22
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 24
Internet as an Innovation 24
The Dynamics of Innovation Adoption 24
Attributes of Innovation 25
Information Sources & Dissemination of Innovation 28
Information – Key Economic Activity 28
Individual Characteristics as Predictor of Internet Use 30
The Effects of the Internet on Rural Development 32
The Internet & the Rural-Urban Migration 33
Internet Cafés: Public and Private Spheres 35
3. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS 38
Demographics & Internet Adoption 38
Innovation Attributes & Perceived Values of the Internet 40

Age Differences & Internet Activities 43
Socio-Economic Status 44
Age 47
Internet & Traditional Media Use 48
4. METHODOLOGY & RESEARCH DESIGN 52
Survey as Method 52
Ihiala as the Study Setting & Sampling 52
Sample Frame 53
Study Procedures 53
Operationalization of Variables 58
Innovation 58
Internet Users 58
Demographic Characteristics 59
Residence Status 59
Economic Information 59
Internet & Economic Development 60
Adoption and Internet Use 60
Innovator Attributes 61
Relative Advantage 61
Complexity 62
Compatibility 62
Questionnaire Design 62
Demographic Characteristics 65

Use of the Internet 65
Innovative Characteristics 66
Perceived Innovation Attributes 66
Relative Advantage 66
Compatibility 67
Complexity 67
Use of the Internet for Economic Development 68
Financial 69
Business 69
Education 69
Media and Internet Uses 70
Statistical Techniques 71
5. RESEARCH RESULTS 74
Demographic Characteristics of Internet Users 74
Gender 76
Age of Internet Users 77
Educational Level 77
Occupation 77
Family/Annual Household Income 78
Residency Status 78
Perception of the Internet as Innovation 79
Economic Development-Related Use of the Internet 81
Use of the Internet for Financial & Business Transactions 81

Use of the Internet for Educational Purposes 82
Differences in Economic-Related Internet Use by Age Groups 84
Hypotheses 85
Education & Use of the Internet 87
Household Income & Use of the Internet 88
Gender & Internet Use 88
Age Groups & Internet Use 89
Purposes of Using the Internet & Age Group Differences 90
Relationship Between Traditional Media Use & the Internet 92
6. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 96
Demographic Characteristics of Internet Users & Implications
for Development 97
Gender as Predictor of Internet Use 97
Age & Internet Use 98
Age Groups and Internet Activities 99
Education as Predictor of Internet Use 99
Occupation, Income and Internet Use 101
Residency Status as Predictor of Adoption of Innovation 103
Innovation Attributes of Internet Medium 107
Uses of Internet for Economic Development 109
Uses of the Internet for Financial Purposes 110
Uses of the Internet for Business Purposes 111
Perspectives on Internet Use for Education Purposes 112

Hypotheses Interpretations 114
Innovation Investments and Implications of the Study Results to
Non-Governmental Agencies 121
Study Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research 126
Conclusion 131
REFERENCES 132
APPENDICES 156
APPENDIX A: Glossary of Abbreviations 156
APPENDIX B: Approval Letter of Human Subjects Review Board 157
APPENDIX C: Example of Consent Letter 158
APPENDIX D: Questionnaire 159