Are poor countries losing the information revolution (original) (raw)
Information systems in developing countries a critical research review
In this paper I review the Information Systems (IS) research on how developing countries have attempted to benefit from information and communication technologies (ICTs). First I identify three discourses on IS implementation and associated organizational and social change that coexist in information systems in developing countries (ISDC) research, namely as a process of technology and knowledge transfer and adaptation to local social conditions; as a process of socially embedded action; and as a process of transformative techno-organizational intervention associated with global politics and economics. I then point out the distinctive research agenda that has been formed in ISDC studies, both in the more familiar IS themes -failure, outsourcing, and strategic value of ICT -and also in studies of themes relevant specifically to the context of developing countries, such as the development of community ICT and information resources. Finally, I call the reader's attention to the potentially significant theoretical contributions of ISDC research for understanding IS innovation in relation to social context and in relation to socio-economic development theories and policies.
Wiring the World: Access to Information Technology and Development in Poor Countries
Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 2005
Scholars and policy makers continue to debate whether information technology (IT) facilitates economic growth and quality of life throughout the world. ''Cyber optimists'' argue that access to IT promotes development whereas ''cyber pessimists'' assert that such access simply exacerbates global inequality. Our quantitative analysis generally supports the former perspective, showing that access to IT increases economic expansion and decreases child mortality in the developing world. However, the increasing ''digital divide'' between rich and poor countries threatens the capacity of IT to contribute to development and may, in the long run, provide greater support to those who criticize development efforts based on information technology.
Information and communication technology and poverty: An Asian perspective
2001
The emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in particular the Internet, has generated new enthusiasms about the development prospects for poor economies. Many now think that new technologies can provide a faster route to better livelihoods and improved quality of life than the one afforded by the standard process of industrialization. The opposing view holds that the focus on ICTs will detract attention from the more fundamental task of addressing the basic problems of economic development.
State of the Art Information systems in developing countries: a critical research review
In this paper I review the Information Systems (IS) research on how developing countries have attempted to benefit from information and communication technologies (ICTs). First I identify three discourses on IS implementation and associated organizational and social change that coexist in information systems in developing countries (ISDC) research, namely as a process of technology and knowledge transfer and adaptation to local social conditions; as a process of socially embedded action; and as a process of transformative techno-organizational intervention associated with global politics and economics. I then point out the distinctive research agenda that has been formed in ISDC studies, both in the more familiar IS themes – failure, outsourcing, and strategic value of ICT – and also in studies of themes relevant specifically to the context of developing countries, such as the development of community ICT and information resources. Finally, I call the reader's attention to the potentially significant theoretical contributions of ISDC research for understanding IS innovation in relation to social context and in relation to socioeconomic development theories and policies.
Information Revolution and Policy Implications for Developing Countries
2000
Discussion paper 2002 is combination of six papers prepared for the International Workshop on The Information Revolution and Economic and Social Exclusion in Developing Countries. These papers are the outcomes of two major themes set for the workshop: "The Developments of Access and Effective Use of Information Technology and Exclusion" and "The Gender Dimension in Exclusion".
2003
The rise and effects of ICTs form the starting point of a few interesting theoretical accounts on the information economy and society. Even some more critical authors proceed in their argumentation from economic and social change in relation to major changes in the area of ICTs. This recent literature is often confusing, as the role of ICTs is perceived as all pervasive. As such, authors do not always distinguish between evolutions in specific sectors, at the economic level or at the level of social institutions and structures. This article has a twofold goal. First it provides a systematised discussion of recent theoretical contributions on the information society. Second it analyses these contributions in light of its accounts on and relevance for the developing world. It starts from the assumption that all too often no specific attention is paid to the developing world or that—in the case of more policy oriented accounts—the theory on the information society is seen to be universal in character.
Habitat International, 2002
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ICTs for development: what prospects and problems?
The Southern African Journal of Information and Communication, 2004
Investing in information and communication technology applications in developing countries is receiving considerable attention in policy debates. This paper reviews evidence of the digital divides that continue to exist, and then critically examines some of the optimistic views about the potential benefits of investment in information and communication technologies. Experiences of firms in several developing countries as they begin to consider and implement business-tobusiness electronic commerce provide a basis for the analysis.
Seeds of ConsensusThe Potential Role for Information and Communication Technologies In Development
Retrieved on, 2001
The growth of information and communication technologies (ICTs) raises a series of questions for international development. This paper explores that relationships between ICTs and various types of social formations (NGOs, community groups, Unions). This raises the issue of "how do you evaluate the benefits of information?" and "what is information" since the ICTs are implicated with these groups in different ways in each case. This question of "what is information?" went on to inform my subsequent work, which is why I include this early dissertation here.
1-25 The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
2017
This paper is a reflection on the research design of an information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) research project using design science research (DSR) in the pragmatic tradition. The artefact created and evaluated during the study is the Community Shaping Solutions Framework (CSSF) in response to the problem that this study addresses: how should the information needs that are meaningful to women working as domestic workers, be effectively translated through the use of ICT in order to enhance their experience of the good life as defined by Sen's (1999) capability approach and to contribute to the success and social value of ICT4D projects. The study is conducted in Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa. A group of women from the domestic cleaning sector represents a developing community in an urban setting and is selected using snowball sampling to participate in the study. Six organisations that have an interest in interacting with developing communities...
Information and Communication Technologies for Development
2014
How do Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) contribute to international development? What roles do the state and market play in deploying ICTs? How can one assess the development impact of ICTs, and are these impacts scalable or sustainable? To approach these questions this chapter maps key ideas and debates surrounding the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). Practical examples of ICT use in the developing world are examined, including telecentres, LAN houses, and the growing number of mobile devices affordable to the poor. Critical issues include the extent to which markets provide access to ICTs, and the extent to which ICTs empower wider social transformation. Looking forward, ongoing debate revolves around internet governance and which policies foster or
Coming to terms with a wired world? Challenges of information technology in the developing world
2010
In spite of the frenzy regarding the benefits and blessings of globalisation and information technology, it is premature to assume that there is equality in access to technology and attendant opportunities. It is equally premature to pretend that all countries are beneficiaries and, therefore, there are no victims of the globalisation. This is particularly true of developing world which is largely lagging behind in the so-called "digital divide". In this paper and the articles presented in the present Volume of Information, Society and Justice, it is argued that a number of challenges bedevil the desire by developing countries to enjoy equal access to the opportunities of globalisation and information technology. It is also argued that both globalisation and information technology reproduce and reinforce global inequality and hierarchy dominated by specific parts of the world.
The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in …, 2000
The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and the World Bank had organised a workshop titled: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Rural Development to bring together case studies of various applications of ICT that have been demonstrated to make a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural areas. The cases presented illustrate both the opportunities and challenges in the diffusion of ICT within India and for other developing countries. ICT applications can be classified as those that provided decision support to public administrators for improving planning and monitoring of developmental programs, those that improved services to citizens and brought in transparency, and those that empowered citizens through access to information and knowledge. This paper presents successful examples of each type of application of and discusses one application in detail to draws lessons for what needs to be done to promote ICT for rural development.
The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Developing Countries
Australian journal of basic and applied sciences, 2011
This paper presents the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on different areas of development of developing countries. This paper implies on effect of ICT in the lives of people in developing countries, and how economic activities like manufacturing and local craft derive a benefit. Various ICT projects are implementing in developing countries and they have sustainable effect on economics and communications. The problems appear here are lack of infrastructure, government policies, and literacy low level of local people. We present a model that model indicates convergence of different areas in economy, environment, business, society. These areas include economic performance, employment, health, people participation, education, innovation and research, and privacy and security. As samples of ICT developing, we consider some of Asia countries and discus about how they make development in information and communication technology.