Justice in technology policy. A systematic review of gender divide literature and the marginal contribution of women on ICT

Date14 May 2018
Pages123-137
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-06-2017-0038
Published date14 May 2018
AuthorMasomeh Yeganehfar,Atefe Zarei,Ali Reza Isfandyari-Mogghadam,AliAkbar Famil-Rouhani
Subject MatterInformation & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information & communications technology
Justice in technology policy
A systematic review of gender divide literature
and the marginal contribution of women on ICT
Masomeh Yeganehfar,Atefe Zarei,
Ali Reza Isfandyari-Mogghadam and AliAkbar Famil-Rouhani
Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review of available research
evidence on marginal participation of women in ICT-related jobs (ICT information and communication
technology). In this study, it has been attemptedto identify gaps in these literature studies according to the
Global Index of Gender dimensionsand briey has been explained guidelinesfor policymakers to improve the
participationof women in this area.
Design/methodology/approach The authors follow from the method of (Traneld et al.,2003) for
conducting a systematic literature review (a systematic review means that the research has specic and
systematic steps). Thenkey words were searched and appropriate resources with this studywere evaluated.
Accidentally,55 articles in the period 2000 to 2014 were investigated,and articles were reviewed according to
the Global Indexof Gender dimensions.
Findings A review of previous studiesindicated that despite considerable attentiongiven to open access
to information and womens skills,role of women in ICT has been underestimated. Results indicatedthat to
keep pace withtodays information society, we would have to reinforceknowledge and abilities of women and
provide them employmentgrounds in jobs that require new skills in ICT. To reinforceparticipation of women
in the jobs, we need to invest in education and design policiesto increase the number of women in educational
courses related to ICTs. Also, we need to promote equal educational opportunities. Libraries are suitable
platforms to create bold employment of women in jobs related to ICTs. Because it seems that majority of
professionals are women in these places. In current information communities, we have to raise the level of
individual development for reaching total development. Thus, womens progress at professional jobs is
needed to remove barriersof creativity and entrepreneurship for women. Also, developmentof strategies for
providingcontribution of women in ICT jobs should not be neglected.
Originality/value This study is the rst comprehensivestudy on the systematic review of the literature
in the eld of GenderGap to show marginal participation of women in the ICT-relatedjobs.
Keywords Women, ICT, Gender gap, Technology policy, Women in ICT
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
The role of informationand communication technologies (ICT) as a tool for developmenthas
attracted the sustainedattention of the world over recent years.
The term ICT has been used to encompass technological innovation and
convergence in information and communication that lead to the development of so-
called information or knowledge societies, with resulting changes in social interaction,
economic and business practices, political engagement, education, health, leisure and
entertainment (Ramilo and Villanueva, 2001). Over the past decade, there has been a
growing understanding that these technologies can be powerful instruments for
economic and social development through creation of new types of economic activity,
employment opportunities, improvements in health-care delivery and other services
Justice in
technology
policy
123
Received20 June 2017
Revised19 September 2017
Accepted3 November 2017
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.16 No. 2, 2018
pp. 123-137
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-06-2017-0038
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm

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