Abstract
In this study we examine responses to the recent expansion of information
technology in two rural Minnesota towns. One of these towns took
a cooperative approach to technology access, developing a community
electronic network, while the other town relied on a more individualistic,
entrepreneurial model. The present study examines citizens' attitudes
concerning social, political, and technological issues in these two
communities, with the goal of uncovering what kinds of attitudes
and resources citizens need to have in order to help support and
sustain a community electronic network. Structural equation modeling
is used to specify the relationships among individuals' economic,
political, and social resources, technology ownership and use, and
awareness of and support for the community network. Drawing on a
theory of social capital, we consider the relative importance of
privately- oriented social engagement versus publicly- oriented political
engagement in relation to collective outcomes. Our analysis shows
that in the town with the broadly- based community electronic network,
individuals' political as well as economic resources are linked to
knowledge and use of computer resources, whereas in the comparison
community, economic stratification alone drives computer access.
The implications of these findings for issues of equity, access to
technology, and the development of strong community ties are discussed.
Description
Recherche inclusion
Links and resources
Tags
community