The Global Perspective on the Gap

The GCAB members agreed that there is definitely a gap between technology innovation and consumer or small business adoption. The majority of GCAB members also agreed that the gap is increasing. The group discussed this finding from each of their regional perspectives and cited examples from their own professional and personal experiences. Below are some excerpts from the member’s perspectives regarding the gap and the possible causes from their experiences and points of view:
“Yes, there is an adoption gap. Technological advances and application capability is lapping the enduser. Consumers can’t keep up with the pace of innovation. It’s probably not as much of a problem for the consumer as it is for the developer who wants to sell the new generation model.” Jim Blasingame, “Small Business Advocate” radio/talk show host
Mark Boleat, United Kingdom	“The gap exists because technological developments have run much faster than education and training, many senior people in organizations are not computer literate and IT companies tend to be technology driven rather than market driven.” Mark Boleat, consumer policy and business consultant
“There is a fundamental gap between the developers and creators of a technology or product with their end users.” Vicky Hung, China Media Assets, COO and Chinadotcom, senior vice president
“Technology companies have a large pool of technologists who do not think like the average consumer. In many instances, companies overestimate the abilities of the consumer. For average consumers, they have to learn whatever they have not learned before school days, user-friendly means childish, simple, basic, no thinking, no moving, etc. But excitement comes from learning and challenging, which includes danger of failure.” Soonhoon Bae, Graduate School of Management at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, professor
“Evidence for a "gap" between the technology and its adoption can be seen in the recession underway among telecoms, PC makers, and other IT companies. Today's technology is underutilized.” Dr. Bill Halal, George Washington University, professor
“Many of the nonprofit agencies we work with don't even have email and operate on very old computers. At the community level, the consumers that we and our network agencies work with do not have computers in their homes much less Internet access. Two key problems: lack of money and lack of information on how to get inexpensive computers and Internet access that could still serve their needs.” Ken McEldowney, Consumer Action, executive director
Hideyo Waki, Japan	“As a result of the innovations in technology, we have a marvelous tool at our disposal, but we do have problems. Such as, it is difficult to use, and there is significant jargon and technical words used in the descriptions and instructions that make it difficult to understand. And, there are not enough organizations or instructors to teach people how to use a PC properly. And finally, there is still difficulty in accessing a PC depending on your income.” Dr. Hideyo Waki, Tokyo Kenki University, professor
“We are a group of technology enthusiasts and we are not using all of the technology that is available. Technology should be seamless to the user. You should not have to know exactly how to use, but it should come naturally.” Dr. Barry Wellman, University of Toronto, professor
“In the US and Canada, the adoption gap between current PC owners and non-owners is borne of low economic and educational status, except in the elderly population (over 70 years). The gap is not borne of a lack of will nor desire for all but a very small percentage of iconoclasts (under 3%) who are unwilling to adopt PC technology at all.” Tricia Parks, Parks Associates, founder and president
“The gap exists and is clear in my region because the mass adoption of a new technology happens after two or three generations of that technology. Price, marketing mistakes and benefits of the technology are the biggest causes of that delay.” Jose Ramalho, columnist and technology writer
“There are a number of reasons for the gap. There is a lack of trust on new gadgets and survival needs prevail against superfluous needs. The devices are too sophisticated, they change too fast and they are difficult to assimilate. It is also a cultural matter.” Dr. Carlos Scheel, Monterrey Institute of Technology, professor