Interrelationships between ICT, social disadvantage, and activity participation behaviour: A case of Mumbai, India

Abstract

Studies on the social role of transport disadvantage have influenced the policy discourse, especially in the developed world. However, the potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve access to opportunities has been rarely explored. In a scenario where disparities exist in both physical proximity and access to ICT, this study aims to analyse the interrelationships between three key areas viz. ICT, social disadvantage, and activity participation behaviour. A time use survey representative of Mumbai’s housing disparity was conducted for 1205 individuals. The data showcased the differences in household socio-economic characteristics, individual personal characteristics, ICT use patterns, activity participation, and time allocation patterns. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate exclusionary factors and their interconnectedness. It was found out that ‘social advantage’ had a significant positive relationship with ‘access to ICT’ and ‘farness to services’. The effects of exclusionary factors, along with activity and individual specific variables were tested on activity participation and time allocation behaviour using type II Tobit models. Finally, marginal effects of ‘access to ICT’ and ‘farness to services’ on activity participation and time allocation behaviour were estimated. The findings suggested that an increase in access to ICT increased in-home leisure participation and travel time allocation. However, no significant positive relationship was established between access to ICT and in-home mandatory activities. Policy implications of the findings were discussed highlighting the importance of an integrated framework to improve both physical access and the access to ICT to tackle the issue of social exclusion.