The effects of a price increase on cybercafé services in Abraka, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose -To survey the effects of a general price increase on cybercafé services in Abraka, Nigeria. The price increase introduced in September 2004 by the Association of Cybercafé Operators in Abraka (ACOA) failed due to customers' responses to it. The collapse of the pricing regime is investigated. Design/methodology/approach -Uses a literature review, questionnaire, interviews, and personal observations to gather data, and uses these data to determine reasons behind the pricing structure of cybercafés in Abraka, Nigeria, and customers' reactions to those pricing structures. Findings -Findings revealed that the cost of providing an alternative electrical power source ranked highest in what determined the price of cybercafé services prior to the period of the general price increase, followed by the ISP charge. A majority of the cybercafés experienced a drop in customer/client patronage, followed by a drop in daily income and customer dissatisfaction, due to the increased prices for internet service. Originality/value -All the cafés have reduced their prices in order to satisfy their customers. Most of them reduced their prices in order to increase customer/user patronage. It was suggested that an increase in cybercafé service prices should not be introduced again to permit more users access and to encourage them to use the internet in the cafés.

Cost and other barriers to public access computing in developing countries

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Demographics, Socio-Economic and Cognitive Skills as Barriers to Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment

“…Other socio-economic factors that affects information seeking include erratic power supply, as some electronic devices such as computers and other ICT infrastructures needed to access resources in a digital environment depend on electricity to function. This is however epileptic in many African countries which in turn constitutes a barrier to information seekers impeding them from gaining timely access to needed information, apprehension expressed when seeking for information in a digital environment especially those that are not computer literate and accustomed to traditional library, prohibitive cost mostly in developing countries to gain access (Adomi, 2005), irregularities in subscription to electronic resources (Igbo & Imo, 2010), and frustration that accompanies prolonged e-book reading causing a strain to the eyes (Aregbesola & Oguntayo, 2014).…”

Access to Electronic Healthcare Information Resources in Developing Countries: experiences from the Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria

“…However, access to cybercafés may also be problematic. Adomi (2005) reports on a price increase in cybercafé services in Abraka, Nigeria. This was brought about after cybercafé owners invested in generators in order to provide a reliable electricity supply, as well as meeting high costs of ISPs.…”