ICT LITERACY AND COMMUNICATION BARRIERS: A STUDY ON INCLUSIVENESS OF INTERNET BANKING WITH REFERENCE TO CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS

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1 International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 9, Issue 11, November 2018, pp , Article ID: IJCIET_09_11_099 Available online at ISSN Print: and ISSN Online: IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed ICT LITERACY AND COMMUNICATION BARRIERS: A STUDY ON INCLUSIVENESS OF INTERNET BANKING WITH REFERENCE TO CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS Dr. Madhumathi Pasupathi Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social sciences, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Telangana, India ABSTRACT Technological applications in everyday life will most certainly increase in future endeavours. Especially after Demonetization, the knowledge of digital monetary transaction using Internet Banking has become essential. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to understand the inclusiveness of using Internet Banking for transactions by the construction labourers. It also studies the possible communication barriers that may hinder the labourers in using Internet Banking for their monetary transaction and digital deposits. Thus, the study identifies that the lack of ICT knowledge will create a digital divide and curbs the use of Internet Banking by people from all sections of society. Key words: ICT literacy, digital divide, Inclusiveness, Internet Banking, construction labourers Cite this Article: Dr. Madhumathi Pasupathi, ICT Literacy and Communication Barriers: A Study on Inclusiveness of Internet Banking with Reference to Construction Labourers, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) 9(11), 2018, pp INTRODUCTION A range of financial transaction conducted through online mode is known as Internet banking or online banking. This internet banking system is available for all the customers of the bank and also for other financial institutions. Jun and Cai (2001) listed out the features of online banking which operates through internet as a channel for financial transaction that includes bill payment through online, opening a fixed deposit account, fund transfer. They also state internet baking as a flexible platform which is inexpensive and comfortable for the users (Chauhan and Choudhary, 2015). The services include; online bank balance checking editor@iaeme.com

2 ICT Literacy and Communication Barriers: A Study on Inclusiveness of Internet Banking with Reference to Construction Labourers savings accounts money market accounts certificates of deposit credit cards home equity loans home mortgage insurance investment services portfolio management There are fewer researches that have studied the effect of communication barriers in reducing the inclusiveness of internet banking. However, this study has concentrated on identifying various possible communication barriers which might affect the inclusiveness of internet banking. By identifying the various elements that are affecting the implementation of virtual banking in reaching the common people, an effective model appropriate to Indian banking need can be designed. Sharma G (2016) concludes that concept of internet banking is slowly gaining acceptance in Indian scenario and efforts are being made by government agencies to make it more popular among consumers. It is also stated that only 7% of the Indian population is using internet banking, which a minimal, compared to other countries of the world. The object of the study is two folded: To identify the inclusiveness of internet banking by all the sections of the society To study the possible communication barriers associated with the internet banking. Contrasting to the advantages of internet banking, fewer studies have reported that people are hesitant to switch to internet banking due to its risk involved in money transaction. However, only educated people are consciously accepting the advantages of the internet banking that includes quick transaction, saves time, access anywhere, low cost for money traction, safety and security of account. 2. INDIAN POPULATION AND ICT LITERACY RATE Literacy rate of India is much lower than many countries around the world. At the end of 2011, the literacy rate of India has grown up to 74 % which is much lower compared to developed nations. Indian lag behind around 10% compared to the average literacy rate (84%) of all other countries in the world. This clearly states that India has more illiterate population. Moreover, India has a wide gender disparity in terms of illiterates population. Only 65% of women in India are educated, which is much lower to the educated men population in India (82%). According to 2001 survey, more than 50% of the literate people in India have stopped their education with Standard ten. And only 14% of the population are degree holders. Such is the current scenario of Indian literacy rate. Thus, the Indian population consist of huge sections of labourers. Among them construction labourers are chosen as the sample for data collection for this study. According to a survey in 2014 on Computer Education in India, it is reported that only 7% of the population in India have ICT literacy. The study has defined computer literary as the ability to handle and manage basic programming in computer. Even a minimal and basic editor@iaeme.com

3 Dr. Madhumathi Pasupathi knowledge of computers that includes simple skills of programming and can handle other ground level computer functions are considered as computer literates. 3. NEED FOR ICT LITERACY In comparison to developed nations, Indian government has taken steps to control black money through demonetisation and proliferating digital transaction. However, the percent of people who can handle the thriving digital demand is less. Around 90% of our Indian population are lacking ICT knowledge and facing communication barriers. This clearly states that ICT literacy should be made compulsory for students studying not only computer science but also other branches of study. It is also an appreciable fact that government has introduced ICT skills as compulsory to all the students studying in government schools. However, the effectiveness of using the resources provided by the school teachers is questionable. It is already prevalent that only less percentage of the people are computer literates. At least, the growing students, the future generation of India must be properly able to communicate through digital tools. Unless serious steps are taken to improve the knowledge level of the Indian population in handling digital tool, there will be a severe setback for India in growing as a developed nation. This digital divide is going to create a huge division among the educated rich and uneducated poor people of India. Thus, as per the current scenario the internet banking facilities are not inclusive for all the people from various sectors of India. Most of the researchers working on banking sectors and its effectiveness in digital banking has focused on the growth rate, effectiveness and servicing perspective of the banker to their customers. However, fewer researchers are carried out in India in terms of inclusiveness of internet banking for lower sections of the society, especially, the construction labourers. Even though, it is evident that these internet banking is not inclusive to all people from different sectors of the society, there are only fewer studies which concentrated on the types of employment of the people and accessibility to internet banking. Hence, future researches can be carried out studying the preferences of the people working in different jobs and with different incomes groups willingness in using internet banking. 4. COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AND INCLUSIVENESS Communication is a multifaceted interactive process, involving shared assumptions and unspoken agreements between individuals. In order to communicate effectively one must know the various ranges of barriers that hinder communication. A good communicator might know to avoid or overcome their short coming in terms of their position, gender, and knowledge level. Thus, by understanding the barrier in communication, one can mitigate the negative impact and reduce the misunderstanding while communicating. The study has identified the various possible communication barriers which will affect the inclusiveness of internet banking. They are physical barrier, semantic barriers, emotional barrier and cultural barriers Physical Barrier Problems in communication due to physical elements, digital tools and environmental factors can be accounted as physical barriers to communication. The problems in communication due to less knowledge of handling the digital tools, lack of guidance from external source on how to utilize the internet banking facilities and security issues in handing digital platforms are some of the physical barriers editor@iaeme.com

4 ICT Literacy and Communication Barriers: A Study on Inclusiveness of Internet Banking with Reference to Construction Labourers 4.2. Semantic Barriers Lack of English language knowledge is one of the major barriers in communicating through internet banking. More than the technological knowledge, the problems due to lack of English language makes internet banking less inclusive. Either language used in internet banking has to be changed according to the regional language or the people from different sections of the society must be taught with basic vocabulary of English that will enable them to handle internet banking. Moreover, in a global market place the greatest compliment we can pay another person is to talk in their language Emotional Barrier One of the main barriers to communications is the emotional barrier. It is comprised mainly of anxiety, nervousness, mistrust and suspicion. Handling a new technological application and digital tools will naturally increase the anxiety less of the ignorant people. In that fear, making monetary transaction will definitely increase suspicion. However, due to demonetisation even common people are forced to use digital transaction. This definitely increases fear of losing money among the otherwise ignorant people. As a result of which there will be a great emotional divide between the ICT literate and illiterates Cultural Barrier Differences in terms of cultural background are quite difficult to overcome. If the community or the group of people are illiterate then the ignorance is never felt. People from same group or community tend to adopt similar behaviour patterns as a mark of togetherness. So any new way of living or change in life style takes time for approval by the community members. 5. SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION The study suggests the future researchers to include the effects of communication barriers as yet another factor that influence the inclusiveness of internet banking. Based on the understanding of the literature the study has suggests the following measure to make internet banking inclusive. Making internet banking facilities available in regional languages Applications of internet banking can be much more simplified, so that even illiterates can access it. Anxiety of using digital transactions can be reduced through awareness campaigns for people from diverse background. Thus, the study concludes that the lack of ICT knowledge will create a digital divide and curbs the use of Internet Banking by people from all sections of society. REFERENCES [1] Chauhan & Choudhary (2015), Internet Banking Challenges and Opportunities in Indian Context. Apeejay Journal of Management Sciences and Technology, (ISSN ) [2] How Female Literacy Affects Fertility: The Case of India. Population Institute, East- West Centre, December 1990, retrieved [3] India has the largest number of illiterates in the world, Rediff, 21 November 2007, retrieved editor@iaeme.com

5 Dr. Madhumathi Pasupathi [4] Jun, M., & Cai, S. (2001). The key determinants of internet banking service quality: a content analysis. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 19(7), [5] Ranking of states and union territories by literacy rate: 2011 Census of India Report (2013) [6] Sharma, G. (2016). Study of Internet Banking Scenario in India. International Journal of Emerging Research in Management &Technology. Vol. 5(5) editor@iaeme.com