IT increases wellbeing: How this is great news for social enterprise

Many social enterprises and nonprofit organizations are doing pioneering work in the area of access to IT. A study recently published will help to strengthen their endeavors. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT , has just made available a new global study, The International Information Well-being Index, that has found a connection between increased access to information technology and well-being. Moreover the study suggests that it is the poorest countries that benefit most from access to IT.

The Index is based on an analysis of the World Values Survey that contains responses from 35,000+ people globally. For the Index 39 countries were selected for which there were 11 complete indicators available. The indicators looked at elements of IT access and usage as well as freedom and autonomy. It was expected that people in richer countries would be the ones who benefit most from access to IT. After the information was collated however it was shown that, when discounting for GDP, the poorest countries came out on top. Zambia, Moldova, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Mali and Uruguay all come above United Kingdom, Australia and United States in the Index. This raises some interesting questions about how nations are utilizing and promoting IT. It also raises questions about where digital inclusion is most beneficial and equally where exclusion is most harmful.

The International Information Well-being Index follows on from the report 'Information Dividend: Can IT make you happier?' published earlier this year. The report discusses the role of IT as a tool for empowerment and networking, and how it appears to lead to this increase in well-being. It also discusses the finding that the improvement in life satisfaction in relation to IT access is greater among women.

The implications for this Index could be far-reaching and will certainly promote much debate. In regards to social enterprises and nonprofit organizations who already have initiatives in the area of IT, the report will help to strengthen the argument for the work they are doing. The findings will benefit those organizations on multiple levels: as a way of understanding the needs of their users, developing their programmes, promoting their work and boosting their profile, and leveraging more funding. With the ongoing wave of media negativity towards IT this report will come as a great boost to those who believe in its benefits. Prominent social enterprises and nonprofit organizations already leading the way in this area include Computer Aid International, VNL and CDI (Centre for Digital Inclusion). Anja Ffrench, Director of Marketing and Communications, Computer Aid International said:

"The findings of the Index support what Computer Aid International has been aware of for some time. The developing world recognizes the value and importance of access to and use of IT. Projects on the ground, such as LinkNet's role in getting the Internet to rural Zambia, are proof that innovation is driving access and use of IT in developing nations."

In September The Chartered Institute for IT plan to release a wrap report for this study summarizing their findings. On the day of the launch a discussion will be held at their headquarters in London. I am excited to be attending this and look forward to sharing the discussions here. The The International Information Well-being Index and 'Information Dividend: Can IT make you happier?' are both available at this link.

Photo credit: Computer Aid International