Title: LAN House implementation and sustainability in Brazil: an actor-network theory perspective

Authors: Carla D.M. Soares; Luiz Antonio Joia

Addresses: Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Praia de Botafogo 190, Room 526, cep: 22253-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: LAN Houses1 have featured as key locations for thousands of Brazilians who otherwise would have no access to the internet. Thus, the scope of this study is to investigate the implementation and sustainability trajectory of a LAN House from an actor-network theory (ANT) perspective. In order to achieve this, single-case study methodology was adopted to address the implementation and sustainability of a LAN House in Jardim Catarina, city of São Gonçalo in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The result of this investigation supports the importance of government programs and actions as key actors to implement and sustain these endeavours. Lastly, it becomes clear that a LAN House is not actually a digital inclusion agent, despite its relevance to regions with lower rates of income, since the owner performs the role of 'digital dealer', whereby most of LAN House users are precluded from being digitally included.

Keywords: LAN House; ANT; actor-network theory; digital inclusion; digital exclusion; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2017.083944

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2017 Vol.13 No.1, pp.81 - 99

Received: 06 Aug 2016
Accepted: 06 Feb 2017

Published online: 26 Apr 2017 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article