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A Study on the Gender Digital Divide: Overcoming the Under-Representation of South African Women in the IT Sector

Author

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  • Seetha Nesaratnam
  • Tengudzeni Nkosingiphile Mamba
  • Jugindar Singh Kartar Singh

Abstract

In South Africa, women are grossly underrepresented in the Information Technology (IT) sector result of gender stereotyping and discrimination. According to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Report (2017), only 21% of executives in the IT sector are women. This has caused high unemployment of women IT graduates. The purpose of this study therefore is to explore and investigate the antecedents that influence and impact the phenomenon of the gender digital divide in South Africa. The study explores new antecedents of the digital gender divide that influences motivation of women to participate in the IT sector. This study used a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews of South African women in the IT sector. The rich volume of data collected was analysed via a thematic analysis. The analysis confirmed existing antecedents gleaned from literature and also uncovered three new dimensions, namely, networking, impartial mentorship and HR as motivators for women in the IT sector. The findings of the study also provides for a better understanding on the barriers that perpetuate the unequal gender gap problem especially in managerial and leadership roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Seetha Nesaratnam & Tengudzeni Nkosingiphile Mamba & Jugindar Singh Kartar Singh, 2018. "A Study on the Gender Digital Divide: Overcoming the Under-Representation of South African Women in the IT Sector," Business Management and Strategy, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(2), pages 151-168, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:bmsmti:v:9:y:2018:i:2:p:151-168
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Venkatesh, Viswanath & Morris, Michael G. & Ackerman, Phillip L., 2000. "A Longitudinal Field Investigation of Gender Differences in Individual Technology Adoption Decision-Making Processes," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 83(1), pages 33-60, September.
    2. Chetty, Krish & Aneja, Urvashi & Mishra, Vidisha & Gcora, Nozibele & Josie, Jaya, 2018. "Bridging the digital divide in the G20: Skills for the new age," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 12, pages 1-20.
    3. Alice W Clark & T V Sekher, 2007. "Can Career-Minded Young Women Reverse Gender Discrimination?," Working Papers 179, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hayet Kerras & Jorge Luis Sánchez-Navarro & Erasmo Isidro López-Becerra & María Dolores de-Miguel Gómez, 2020. "The Impact of the Gender Digital Divide on Sustainable Development: Comparative Analysis between the European Union and the Maghreb," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, April.

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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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