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- Sundén, Susanne, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Information and Communication Technology Applied for Developing Countries in a Rural Context : Towards a Framework for Analysing Factors Influencing Sustainable Use
- 2007
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been considered a tool that can be used to achieve development goals in developing countries. In the same time, the majority of people living in developing countries, and especially those in rural areas lack access to ICT. Even if there have been many attempts to introduce ICT, they have in general not been long-lasting.A framework for studying factors that influence use of ICT is desirable. We see it necessary to bring a sustainability aspect into the picture of ICT. In this work the requirement of ‘sustainable ICT use’ stresses that ICT is long-lasting and that ICT meets the needs of the user. Thus, the aim of this work is to develop a tool for conceptualisation that can support the understanding of the conditions for sustainable, and therefore successful, ICT projects in developing countries.Our theoretical starting point is taken in the Information System (IS) theories. The theoretical base is then broadened to include theories on international development, theories on sustainable development, and theories on diffusion of innovations and transfer of technology. The theoretical foundation, together with four empirical studies, is used to answer the two research questions in this thesis. The first question is: Which are the critical factors influencing sustainable ICT use in developing countries? By using ‘critical factors’ we emphasise a focus on factors which are crucial (even if possibly not sufficient) for bringing about sustainable ICT use. This question is followed by a second question: How would a framework be structured to properly include these factors in order to support analyses of sustainable ICT use?The framework has evolved through the identification of factors from four empirical studies. Forty-one factors were identified and sorted into fifteen subcategories of five major capital assets. The main contribution of our study is that of a generic framework, which can be used as a guideline for planning, implementation, and evaluation of ICT projects in a rural developing country context achieving sustainable ICT. As argued in this thesis technology is not the key resource; it is the combination and system of different resources distributed along a time and space dimension that is the key. With our framework we have demonstrated that the ICT artefact is not the sustainability tool, it is the combination of different resources that makes it sustainable and competitive.
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- Wicander, Gudrun, 1955-
(författare)
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M4D Overview 1.0 : the 2009 Introduction to Mobile for Development
- 2010
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- M4D Overview 1.0 – the 2009 introduction to mobile for development describes and discusses how mobile devices are used in the developing world to enable economic and technological growth in developin countries. The report presents a broad overview of various reports and studies, ranging from United Nations organisations to reports from mobile operators and producers. These reports outline how developing nations can, and do, use mobile devices to bring essential services, such as medical advice and education, to rural areas. Some of the topics covered in M4D Overview 1.0 include descriptions of mobile services, how mobiles are used in everyday life, and factors influencing the acquisition, adoption and usage of mobiles. The report also turns its focus to Africa, and examines numerous reports from e.g. Tanzania. Included in M4D Overview 1.0 is a discussion about why m4d is worth considering, and examples of m4d projects in developing countries. M4D Overview 1.0 is intended for a wide reader audience, and is directed to “d-people without m-knowledge” (that is to say, developers without mobile media knowledge), “m-people without m-knowledge” (mobile media experts with no background in the developing world), and newcomers to the field who have neither a development background nor knowledge in mobile media.
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- Wicander, Gudrun, 1955-
(författare)
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Mobile Supported e-Government Systems : Analysis of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) in Tanzania
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- e-Government systems are considered by both governments and international organisations to improve administration and management. In Tanzania, an e-government system for education administration, EMIS, is partly implemented but shows several limitations. Statistical data is collected but the process is resource demanding and much of the collected data are never put into the system, and therefore remain inaccessible from this electronic system. The overall aim of this study is to propose an approach to designing more efficient e-government systems within the education sector. The focus is on public schools. The more specific aim of the present study is to: explore more efficient data transfer (faster, more reliable, and potentially less resource demanding) by using mobile telephone technology, especially SMS, as a means for statistical data collection for Tanzanian education management. The study is guided by an overall research approach that comprises systems theory and a socio-technical view. This research is performed as a case study, inspired by the ethnographic method and comprises field studies in East Africa. A multi-technique approach is used for empirical data gathering, including literature study, interviews, and direct observations. The analytical process is performed by developing and applying three analytical models: XIF - the eXtended Sustainable ICT Framework Triple A - Access, Attitude, Awareness Seven Aspects – an Approach Towards Success The contributions of this thesis are as follows. A mobile supported SMS-based statistical data collection process employing a blended digital solution is proposed. Likely effects of such a system would be ‘better’ data e.g. less transmission errors, which provides for ‘better’ administration, ‘better’ decision-making, and also provides for transparency. Moreover, it is very likely that the proposed system is significantly less resource demanding than the present system. The three analytical models that are developed specifically for this study have generic characters and can be used during the implementation process of other e-government solutions. The most important part of the contribution is not the technological solution per se; it is the process that foregoes the actual implementation. The proposal departs specifically from the Tanzanian educational context but has implications for e-government systems solutions and information systems implementation in developing countries in general. Finally, three overall reflections are made based on the major observations of the research findings: the Double ‘e’ Dilemma, on the problem of prioritising electronics before electricity, the Mobiles to Avoid Mobility paradox, highlighting connectivity before mobility, and the opportunity to use the SMS to Combat Corruption weapon.
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