Several studies suggest that the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing countries (DCs) can help such countries achieve national development goals - especially if accompanied by appropriate government policies designed to regulate and promote the use and the diffusion of ICTs in the national context. Over the past few years 'ICT policy' has thus become something worthy of academic attention, in particular in the ambit of ICT-for-development (ICT4D) literature. Scholarly studies on the subject have so far focused however primarily on policy content, and have often been prescriptive and/or evaluative in nature. Relatively less attention has been paid instead to the processes by which ICT policy is made in DCs - a lacuna reflected also in the relative scarcity, in the realm of ICT4D literature, of detailed theoretical frameworks with which to study ICT policymaking practice in DCs. This study intends to help fill this lacuna, by proposing an innovative framework for the analysis of ICT policy processes in DCs, and subjecting such a framework to a first 'proof of concept', through its application to a particular case (ICT policymaking in Uganda). In recognition of the importance of the cognitive aspects of policy practice, the framework proposed is interpretive in nature, and is organised around three 'movements', or steps: an analysis of the linguistic and non-linguistic constructs employed by policy actors to articulate discourse on ICT policymaking; an analysis of the key discourses around ICT policy constructed by policy actors in specific settings; and an analysis of the composition and the strength of the 'alliances', or coalitions, of actors that construct and propagate specific discourses in such settings. The ultimate purpose of this type of analysis is to understand how specific discourses on, or 'versions' of the ICT policy process gain particular purchase and acceptance in given national settings, thereby providing ICT policy actors with elements for reflection on the practices they are involved in. The framework proposed is particularly innovative in that integrates elements derived from mainstream political science and policy analysis literature - thus going some way in solidifying theorization in the ambit of ICT4D research. The study draws conclusions at two levels: at case level, findings indicate that Ugandan discourse around ICT policymaking appears to be constrained by the existence of a powerful, overall political discourse that defines ICT policy as necessarily 'participative'; at the level of theory and method, findings suggest that the framework proposed appears to be a viable and useful one for research on ICT policymaking practice in DCs.

Access, use and ownership of mobile phones is increasing rapidly in Tanzania, as in the rest of Africa. It is estimated that a staggering 97% of the population are able to access a mobile phone, according to a study carried out by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and Vodafone. The growing number of people using mobile phones has led to optimism and speculation regarding its effect on economic and social development. Expectations from mobile phones are high and it has already been coined as Africa’s PC. Expectations are further fuelled by sensationalist headlines in the media such as, Mobile phones join war on African poverty, The mobile revolution sweeps across Africa or Cell phones the latest tool in Africa's fight against HIV and is shaping the discourse on mobile phones for development (M4D). This study was carried out between January and March 2010 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and funded by SPIDER, The Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions and commissioned by Femina HIP (Health Information Project) a Tanzanian multimedia civil society initiative that expressed desire for research to be conducted on mobile phones and SMS (Short Messages Service) in Tanzania. This paper contains data from three group interviews and one quantitative survey that was completed by 97 youths. The empirical material gathered is discussed in relation to empowerment and participation, two concepts that have become mainstreamed in development theory and practice and in communication for development. The paper is structured as following. The first chapter provides the aim and purpose of the study as well as its delimitations. The second chapter discusses mobile phones for development while critically looking at the M4D and ICT4D discourse. Also incorporated in this chapter is an example of a mobile phone project that was started in Bangladesh in the late 1990s and is used as an example to represent the empowerment narrative in M4D. A short discussion on this sentiment will conclude the second part. In the third chapter I present my theory. I take a critical look at empowerment and participation, two concepts that have gained, one can say, a moral authority that effectively hides power relations amongst participants, facilitators and donors in development projects. In the fourth chapter I discuss my methodology and how I gathered my material. In the fifth part I present my data and in the last chapter I analyse the empirical material by applying the framework of participation and empowerment. I also discuss what an organisation such as Femina HIP could gain from incorporating mobile phones into their communication strategy.

Dans cette recherche, j’essaie de comprendre quelle est l’empreinte socioculturelle du processus d’appropriation des technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC), particulièrement du téléphone portable, par des agriculteurs de la Boucle du Mouhoun, au Burkina Faso. Privilégiant une approche socioculturelle et ayant comme hypothèse principale l’existence d’influences réciproques entre le processus de construction des usages des TIC et l’organisation socioculturelle des communautés locales, cette recherche explore les transformations des rapports de pouvoir, l’évolution des identités et des formes de communication au sein de ces communautés en lien avec l’usage des TIC. Les sources théoriques principales sont l’ethnométhodologie et la sociologie des associations ; je fais aussi référence à la sociologie des usages et à l’ethnologie des techniques. Fondée sur un travail empirique, ma réflexion est nourrie par des entretiens concernant des initiatives d’application des TIC au développement rural en Inde et en Afrique de l’Ouest, et, surtout, par un séjour de terrain de six mois au Burkina Faso. La méthode adoptée oriente les efforts de recherche vers la compréhension des réalités locales, en opposition à leur interprétation à partir de modèles extérieurs, d’où l’importance attribuée aux protocoles de réflexivité et de décentration. Au-delà d’orientations concrètes sur l’appropriation socioculturelle des TIC, l’apport le plus important de ma recherche est méthodologique. Je propose des stratégies d’approximations successives de la réalité spécifique à un terrain donné, particulièrement adaptées au cas de chercheurs étrangers à leur contexte d’étude. / In this research I try to understand the social and cultural imprint of the appropriation processes of information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly mobile phones, by farmers from the Boucle du Mouhoun region, in Burkina Faso. The main research hypothesis is the existence of reciprocal influences between the construction process of ICT uses and the social and cultural organization of local communities. With a social and cultural approach, this research explores changes in power relations, identities and forms of communication within these communities in relation to the use of ICT. The reasoning is supported by theoretical and empirical sources. On the one hand, I refer to the Sociology of uses, to the Ethnology of techniques, but mainly to the Ethnomethodology’s program and to the Actor network theory. On the other hand, I rely on visits to projects applying ICT for rural development in India and West Africa, and most importantly, on a six-month long fieldwork in Burkina Faso. The methodology adopted orientates research efforts towards understanding local realities instead of representing them with external patterns, hence reinforcing the importance attributed to reflexivity and decentring. Beyond practical conclusions on the social and cultural appropriation of ICT, the most important contribution of my research is methodological. I propose strategies to understand a specific field reality by successive approximations, particularly suited when the researcher is a foreigner to the context of the research.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Agência-Barco-Aprovada.pdf: 4270624 bytes, checksum: cafe099ca1c9d7e52e77a38bea7575fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-19 / The challenge in offering public services infrastructure in less developed areas in Brazil, often furthest from the large urban centers, mobilizes society sectors in search of new and creative approaches that can reduce large interregional disparities. One of the shortcomings faced by some brazilians is the lack of access to the financial system, compromising their capacity of full insertion in the economy and making it more difficult to create and accumulate wealth, prevailing situation in Ilha de Marajó, in the state of Pará, which most of its sixteen municipalities presents low or very low Human Development Index (HDI). In order to change this reality, a traveling bank branch installed on a boat was designed in an innovative way, for the purpose of meeting the needs of the riverside people that lives in vast territorial extension, low population density, transportation difficulties and limited supply of information and communication technology (ICT). Thereby, through an exploratory and descriptive approach, this research aims to identify, from the ICT perspective, how the financial inclusion indicators are influenced by the Agência Barco (bank branch on a boat) in Ilha de Marajó. In addition to the theoretical study, empirical research was carried out by means of direct observation and semistructured interviews applied to users and employees of the Agência Barco (bank branch on a boat), over four days in two cities of Ilha de Marajó. Interviews content analysis techniques were applied in order to data analysis and identify financial inclusion elements, transposing the results to a heuristic model of dynamic infoinclusion (2iD), which was adapted to comprise inclusion financial constructs. The research outcome shows that the Agência Barco (bank branch on a boat) can provides the necessary access to financial services and products for Ilha de Marajó inhabitants, at the same time identifies opportunities to expand aspects related to financial education, enabling strengthen the dynamic components of the financial inclusion process, increasing awareness and, then, increasing demand for financial services and products. / O desafio de ofertar infraestrutura de serviços públicos nas regiões menos desenvolvidas do Brasil, geralmente mais afastadas dos grandes centros urbanos, mobiliza setores da sociedade na busca de abordagens novas e criativas que possam diminuir as grandes disparidades inter-regionais. Uma das carências vivenciadas por parte da população brasileira é a falta de acesso ao sistema financeiro, comprometendo a capacidade de plena participação dessas pessoas na economia, dificultando a geração e acúmulo de riqueza, situação essa presente na Ilha de Marajó, no estado do Pará, cuja maioria de seus dezesseis municípios apresenta Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) baixo ou muito baixo. Para mudar essa realidade, uma iniciativa inovadora é a agência bancária itinerante instalada em barco, para atendimento a populações ribeirinhas de regiões com vasta extensão territorial, baixa densidade demográfica, dificuldades de transporte e limitações na oferta de tecnologia da informação e comunicação (TIC). Assim, essa pesquisa, com propósito exploratório e descritivo, tem como objetivo principal identificar, sob o ponto de vista das TIC, como os indicadores de inclusão financeira são influenciados pela atuação da Agência Barco na Ilha de Marajó. Além do estudo teórico, foi realizada investigação empírica, por meio de observação direta e entrevistas semiestruturadas com clientes e funcionários da Agência Barco, realizadas ao longo de quatro dias, em duas cidades da Ilha de Marajó. Para análise dos dados, foram aplicadas técnicas de análise de conteúdo às entrevistas, com objetivo de identificar a presença de elementos de inclusão financeira, transpondo os resultados para um modelo heurístico de infoinclusão dinâmica (2iD), o qual foi adaptado para contemplar constructos de inclusão financeira. O resultado da pesquisa demonstra que a Agência Barco consegue suprir as necessidades de acesso a serviços e produtos financeiros pela população da Ilha de Marajó, ao mesmo tempo em que se identifica oportunidades para ampliação de aspectos relacionados à educação financeira, possibilitando fortalecer os componentes dinâmicos do processo de inclusão financeira, com aumento da conscientização e consequente aumento da demanda por serviços e produtos financeiros.

The Digital Doorway (DD) project provides computing infrastructure in impoverished communities in South Africa. DD terminals offer opportunities for unassisted- and peerassisted learning of basic computer skills, and varying computing activities ranging from entertainment, to independent research. This study addresses software application usage, and how it relates to user demographics (age and gender) and location, in order to better understand both the user base, and the nature and extent of DD interactions. A mixed-methods approach is employed, involving log-files, interviews, questionnaires, and naturalistic observation; to build up a holistic picture of application usage and user behaviour at selected sites. Important issues with respect to ICT for Education and Development in the DD context, are addressed. Analysis of the data indicates notable trends, and relationships between age, gender, location, and application usage. User behaviour and environmental effects on usage are discussed, and recommendations provided for future DDs and similar initiatives. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)

The Digital Doorway (DD) project provides computing infrastructure in impoverished communities in South Africa. DD terminals offer opportunities for unassisted- and peerassisted learning of basic computer skills, and varying computing activities ranging from entertainment, to independent research. This study addresses software application usage, and how it relates to user demographics (age and gender) and location, in order to better understand both the user base, and the nature and extent of DD interactions. A mixed-methods approach is employed, involving log-files, interviews, questionnaires, and naturalistic observation; to build up a holistic picture of application usage and user behaviour at selected sites. Important issues with respect to ICT for Education and Development in the DD context, are addressed. Analysis of the data indicates notable trends, and relationships between age, gender, location, and application usage. User behaviour and environmental effects on usage are discussed, and recommendations provided for future DDs and similar initiatives. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)