new technology in the human services

Harper-Dorton K & Pil Yoon D (2002) Information technology in rural nonprofit agencies: local concerns and global potentials
New Technology in the Human Services 14 (3 & 4), pp. 24-34


Abstract: The growth of information technology impacts all parts of the world from individual households to organizational and societal levels. Little is known about the extent of access and the utilization of information technology that is occurring within small social service organizations. Investigative studies generally target access to hardware and the Internet with little attention to the skills and information required to maximize or even access existing information technologies. It is known that disparities exist in information access where many are excluded by the nature of income, geographic location, age, education, minority status, as well as factors unique to various societies and organizations. This gap in technology is widening even more for small social services organizations in the nonprofit sector where community services are in demand for workforce development and lifelong learning opportunities in today’s global economy and changing world. Many agencies and individuals are excluded from access, particularly in rural areas where distance and isolation compound their technological or ‘digital’ division.This article reports the findings from a random sample of rural nonprofit agencies and investigates their acquisition and utilization of information technology. Concerns of resources in general suggest that these agencies are likely to remain behind the curve of emerging technologies and to forego efficiencies that could be realized in both service delivery and agency management.

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The journal has now ceased publication (2003)