Information and communication technology adoption and its impact on cultural preservation among Indian youth in Selangor, Malaysia

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in today's knowledge-based digital era. It has become an integral component of the daily lives of all societal members. The pervasive integration of ICT in contemporary society has precipitated notable transformations in the way individuals engage in communication and social interactions. The pervasive impact of ICT-driven developments on social development is evident across all aspects of human life. A considerable body of research has been dedicated to investigating the implementation of ICT. However, most of these studies have mostly focused on prevalent societal concerns, particularly in the domains of economics, organizations, and education. Nevertheless, the extent to which the adoption of ICT influences the preservation of culture, particularly among the Indian youth in Malaysia, remains a topic that has received scant scholarly attention. ICT is frequently regarded as a dual-edged instrument for minority cultures, subject to criticism due to its propensity to introduce foreign ideals that undermine local customs. However, it is also acknowledged as a vital mechanism for preserving endangered minority cultures. Therefore, a qualitative case study was employed to explore the ICT adoption and its impacts on cultural preservation amongst Indian youth in Selangor, Malaysia. Eight informants who participated in this study met the selection criteria and were recruited through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis is used to analyze the data of the study. Firstly, the findings of the study demonstrated that ICT plays important role in the Indian youth livelihood particularly in education, communication, transaction, and entertainment. Second, the findings showed that there are three major factors influencing the adoption of ICT among the Indian community such as digital literacy, and skills, individual motivation and determination, perceived ease of use of the ICT. Finally, the findings unveiled the impacts of ICT on the preservation of culture. These impacts encompass the enhancing of cultural knowledge and learning, the expanding of cultural awareness, the strengthening of social connections and cultural engagement, the transformation of cultural consumption, and the improvement of cultural visibility. In terms of theoretical implication, the findings align with Cultural Ecology Theory, suggesting that cultures adapt to their environment over time. Specifically, the findings revealed that the Indian youth in Malaysia is adapting to the digital environment facilitated by ICT, which serves as a new ecological niche for transmitting and transforming cultural practices. This emphasizes the significance of considering technological factors alongside traditional ecological factors in understanding cultural adaptation. The findings indicated that Indian youth have successfully maintained core elements of their cultural heritage while integrating ICT, showcasing the community's ability to sustain its culture amidst modernization. In terms of practical implication, the findings of the study will be beneficial to policy makers, the community, researchers, and non-governmental organization in their attempts to implement and manage ICT initiatives among the Indian community in Malaysia. It is hoped that this study can provide valuable insights for evaluating the National Culture Policy by acknowledging and supporting cultural knowledge systems within the Indian community, specifically in domains like traditional medicine, handicraft, and the performing arts. This may encompass endeavors to digitally document and preserve traditional knowledge, alongside efforts to encourage the sustainable utilization of cultural traditions and products among the Indian community in Malaysia.

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