Decreasing work-related movement during a pandemic. Location analytics and the implications of the digital divide

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the role of digital infrastructure in supporting compliance with travel restrictions. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of digital infrastructure in supporting compliance with travel restrictions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world have issued “stay-at-home” orders and curtailed a variety of economic activities. As countries have adopted aggressive policies to limit the spread of COVID-19, varying levels of national infrastructure to provide internet access have limited some nations’ ability to reduce travel requirements. As national policies struggle to address public health issues, location analytics enabled by big data provide unique insights regarding the efficacy of digital infrastructure. These insights can provide valuable tools to public health officials and regulators in understanding how health recommendations are implemented within an economy. Design/methodology/approach This study analyzes mobile phone movement data during the first half of 2020 and finds that countries that provided greater access to internet capabilities were better able to reduce work-related mobility. Findings This study’s findings indicate that greater levels of digital infrastructure may better prepare countries to adapt to societal disruptions such as COVID-19. Practical implications This study’s findings demonstrate that public health controls regarding movement and person-to-person interaction are less likely to be effective in nations with weaker digital infrastructure, even after accounting for variation attributable to gross domestic product (GDP) and pandemic severity. This could limit public health options in developing countries when faced with future socially disruptive events and encourage national investment in digital infrastructure. Social implications This study’s findings highlight positive externalities associated with reducing the digital divide. Developing better digital business infrastructure globally may reduce human exposure to future pandemic risks. Originality/value This research demonstrates the practical development implications of analysis of aggregate data widely available through mobile technology. As institutions develop techniques to ethically and effectively analyze this data, greater opportunities to support economic development may be revealed.

Mapping the key challenges and managing the opportunities in supply chain distribution during COVID-19: a case of Myanmar pharmaceutical company

“…However, the firms have figured out how to improve the resilience of their global SC in the face of severe calamities (Ivanov and Das, 2020; Modgil et al , 2021). It has changed typical work-related mobility to digital work (Taylor and Taylor, 2021). Digital evolution has caused local and international pressures on typical business leaders through many restrictions (Ivanov and Dolgui, 2021; Ahmad and John, 2021; Parmata and Chetla, 2021).…”

“…Ivanov and Dolgui (2020), Fierro Hernandez and Haddud (2018) and Kurniawan et al (2017)'s study pointed out that risk management culture positively facilitates supply chain visibility and supplier development, a common technique in Indonesia firms on supply chain responsiveness. Besides, Taylor and Taylor's (2021) study indicated that advanced digital infrastructure might be better prepared for global nations to adapt the societal disruptions such as the COVID-19 outbreak. Bag et al (2021a) and Saglam et al (2020)'s study findings showed that supply chain responsiveness and resilience, which are risk-mitigating tactics, positively deal with supply chain risk management (SCRM).…”

The adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions and the role of digital infrastructure during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador

“…These new tools, while opening new unprecedented opportunities for many, constituted new barriers for others. Limited and unequal access to digital infrastructures can influence teleworking, e-commerce adoption, distance learning, use of telehealth platforms, and more in general the ability to carry out activities from home thus limiting travels and mobility [24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. However, these factors have not been yet extensively explored via a quantitative data-driven approach.…”