Digital Divide of a different kind

Divide of a different kind

Digital divides exist in many forms. These refer to the unequal distribution of access to digital technologies among different groups of people. The victims are generally people who are placed inferiorly on factors like income, education, geographic location, age, and race/ethnicity. This article presents divide of another type where the victims are group of people placed superiorly. The group we are referring to the non-executive directors of companies including the Independent Directors.

The problem

Decision making in organizations in a way happen at two levels. At the apex level the Board decides the strategic. At the field, the CEO and the management team manage the day to day affairs.

In recent years, digitalization has swept the entire fabric of the management. From the operators handling automation of a production line, it extends right up to the ERP savvy CEO. But the Board lives in the other side of the divide. It continues with its manual traditions. The life in the board centers around carrying a fat folder of agenda papers to periodic meeting and holding a deliberation for a couple of hours. Well, they do use emails carrying the agenda and related presentations. Some companies also use digital platforms to share meeting related information. But the core functioning of the Director remains the same old wine.

In the age of IT, this divide is so glaring.

Yet we hardly notice it.

How digitally different are working of Management and Board? Have a look at the following table:

Point to deliberate is whether this divide needs to be bridged.

Note the difference-

#boardofdirectors #corporategovernance #independentdirectors #Digitalization