A field study was performed in a rural community in the Limpopo province, South Africa. The aim of the field study was to find an approach to effectively translate the needs of rural women for information about social support services provided through ICT. Sen’s capability approach framed the study with the Capability Approach Framework used to analyse the results. The results of the study confirmed the need of the rural women for access to relevant information; indicated an acceptance of the concept to use cell phones as the ICT commodity to access information; and demonstrated the conceptual journey of the participants’ agency role, from standard of living to agency. An approach based on the amended Capability Approach Framework is suggested to effectively translate the needs of rural women for information about social support services provided through ICT: a) Assess the agency role of the participants at the beginning and conclusion of the study b) Build the appropriate interventions c) Consider the conversion factors d) Define the capabilities applicable to the study and affected through the study The limited time spent with the participants and the restricted nature of this study are not supportive of a detailed and comprehensive map to the Capability Approach Framework. Further research with the study design based on the Capability Approach Framework, adapted with the agency role, is recommended. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Informatics / MIT / Unrestricted

Human development requires some kind of action and needs information to set the development process in motion. An expansion of choice and the ability to enact choice are outcomes of development. In order to become aware of choices and support the ability to enact choices that can lead to development, access to information is required. In her thesis, Shaping meaningful information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) solutions using design science research: a social shaping of technology framework based on the capability approach, Manti addresses the problem 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 capability approach and to contribute to the success and social value of ICT4D projects. A group of women working as domestic workers and a selected group of organisations in South Africa participated in the study. The artefact produced by the study is the Community Shaping Solutions Framework (CSSF). The CSSF’s contribution is a response to the criticisms against ICT4D of being overly technology deterministic by applying the social shaping of technology and the capability approach theories and suggesting a human-centered approach. The CSSF draws on the capability approach as a way to measure development and the social shaping of technology theory for the positive role in integrating people and technology concerns by offering a greater understanding of the relationship between scientific excellence, technology innovation and social well-being. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Informatics / PhD (IT) / Unrestricted

The concept of sustainability in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) has been largely associated with the sustainability of ICT4D projects. In other words, most ICT4D literature consider the “continuous operation of ICT4D projects” as the sustainability of ICT4D. This implies that the failure of these ICT4D projects threatens or compromises the existence of sustainability in ICT4D (Heeks, 2002). In this study we do not argue that this view is false; however, sustainability in ICT4D should be considered from a broader perspective, and should not be limited to the uninterrupted operational success of ICT4D projects. Sustainability in ICT4D has proven a challenge to put into practice. This is as a result of a number of known and unknown elements that should be independently and sometimes collectively considered in the implementation of ICT4D, to enable sustainability and sustained benefit realisation. Therefore, this study undertakes a systematic literature review that aims to identify and understand aspects that could enable or disable sustainability in ICT4D within the context of developing communities. Furthermore, based on the analysis and findings from the systematic review of selected ICT4D articles, sourced from various academic journals and conference proceedings, the researcher proposes a framework that seeks to illustrate the building blocks of sustainability in ICT4D. The proposed framework emphasises critical elements that require consideration in ICT4D implementations, so as to enable the realisation of sustained socio-economic benefit for local livelihoods. / Dissertation (MIT (Information Systems))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Informatics / MIT (Information Systems) / Unrestricted

ICT4D, here defined as the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in developing regions, can be seen as one of the most powerful and cost efficient ways to improve the standard of living in the developing world. Many regions in Asia have shown a rapid but heterogeneous development where information technology had a drastic impact on development but often with the problems related to ICT4D 1.0: lack of sustainability and lack of scalability. This study analysed the Sri Lankan infrastructure for region-wide dissemination of blended learning in the 21st century based on the exploration of some selected ICT4D hubs and educational initiatives. The overall aim of the research was to observe, describe and analyse how the selected ICT4D initiatives and the creation of ICT4D hubs in Sri Lanka might support region-wide dissemination of blended learning and local development. A longitudinal case study has been the overall approach where a number of embedded thematic units were explored in long-term fieldwork conducted between 2006 and 2012. Data has been collected from a combination of observations, interviews, group discussions, surveys and document analysis. Findings showed that several of the studied ICT4D hubs have contributed to the general development but the country’s internal digital divide has in fact grown, as urban growth has been so much faster than the growth in rural areas, leaving the country with geographic as well as socio-economic gaps. Some of the former war zones have definitely been left behind and there is a need for further support of the Eastern and Northern regions of the island. Sri Lanka has had an outcome that must be classified as better than average compared to other developing regions with increased opportunities for education and with some ICT4D hubs as multipurpose meeting points. Contributing factors to the successful development are the high literacy rate, the chain of ICT4D projects rolled out in the right order and a committed implementation of educational eServices. On the other hand there were other, more negative findings indicating that sustainability, knowledge sharing and inter-project cooperation and coordination have often failed. The identified strength in the Sri Lankan model, which can be recommended for other parts of the world as well, is the way top-down management of infrastructure sometimes is combined with bottom-up grass-root activities. Other recommendations, that also are global, are to extend existing ICT4D hubs and upgrade them to more intelligent, autonomous and multi-service ICT4D routers that could also handle the future need for eServices in the fields of eHealth, eFarming and eGovernance.

There is a growing interest in the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for citizen engagement in democracy around the world today, especially in the developing world. Events such as the Arab Spring show the potential ICTs can have on citizen engagement with those in leadership positions. Many studies have been conducted within the field of ICT4D (Information Communication Technologies for Development) in many different areas. But few studies have been done within the field of ICT4D that have focused on what happens with the local politicians´ situation in developing countries, when the citizens in these areas become digitally engaged. For a community to develop all levels within the community need to be developed and empowered, because if the local leaders do not have the tools or the incentive to meet the citizens demands then the wanted requirements cannot take place. Effective democratic and open government depends on closing the feedback loop between citizens and government (Making All Voices Count, 2014).   The aim of this study is to get an understanding of the local politicians´ situation in Rwenzori region in western Uganda, as the citizens in this region successively have started to demand much more accountability from their leaders through ICTs. The main question guiding this study is: How are local political leaders in developing countries coping with citizens who are increasingly using ICT4D tools for leadership accountability? With the sub-questions being: How have ICTs changed the communication between the local political leaders and the citizens? Do the local political leaders have the ICT skills, tools and means they need to meet the digitally engaged citizens? Is leadership accountability improved through the use of ICTs? To conduct this study I have used qualitative interviews. And the main theory applied is Jürgen Habermas´s theory of communicative action. In essence Habermas’s theory tries to explain the social structures through an understanding of the ways in which communication is framed and organized (Unwin, 2009). The results are presented in form of selected quotes that reflect and represent the findings of this research, which are analyzed through the lens of the theory of communicative action. This research shows that the local political leaders in the Rwenzori region appreciate the increased demands from the citizens through ICTs. The research also reveals that ICTs have eased the communication between the local political leaders and their communities and therefore have contributed greatly to increase two-way-communication between the leaders and the citizens. But at the same time these local political leaders are also facing challenges when it comes to holding themselves accountable through the same channels. Some of these challenges are weak infrastructure, lack of skills and access to the ICTs themselves. One of the most notable findings that this research came across is the fact that hardly any of the local politician offices in the Rwenzori region has a budget targeted for communication with their communities. In conclusion this study reveals that leadership accountability in the Rwenzori region is improved through the use of ICTs, but an enabling environment is necessary if leadership accountability through ICTs is to be fully realized.  Looking at the results from this research through Habermas´s theory of communicative action has helped making visible not only the prospects of ICTs in democratic development, but also the challenges of using the same mediums. / Det finns ett växande intresse kring användning av informations kommunikationsteknik (IKT) för medborgarengagemang runt om i världen i dag, framför allt i utvecklingsländerna. Händelser som den arabiska våren visar potentialen som IKT kan ha när medborgare använder dem mot personer i ledande positioner. Många studier har gjorts inom området ICT4D (Information Communication Technologies for Development) inom många olika områden. Men få studier har gjorts inom ICT4D som har fokuserat på vad som händer med de lokala politikernas situation i utvecklingsländer när medborgarna i dessa områden blir digitalt engagerade. För att ett samhälle ska utvecklas måste alla nivåer i samhället utvecklas, stärkas och utbildas. För om de lokala ledarna inte har de verktyg eller incitament de behöver för att möta medborgarnas krav, då kan de önskade kraven inte uppfyllas. Effektiv demokrati och öppen förvaltning kräver att kommunikationen/återkopplingen mellan medborgare och staten fungerar (Making All Voices Count, 2014). Syftet med denna studie är att få en förståelse för de lokala politikernas situation i Rwenzori regionen i västra Uganda, då medborgarna i denna region successivt har börjat begära mer av sina ledare genom IKT. Frågan som i huvudsak vägleder denna studie är: Hur hanterar de lokala politiska ledarna i utvecklingsländer att medborgare i allt större utsträckning använder IKT verktyg för att begära ansvarsfullt ledarskap från dem? Studien ämnar även besvara följande underfrågor: Hur har IKT verktyg förändrat kommunikationen mellan de lokala politiska ledarna och medborgarna? Har de lokala politiska ledarna de IKT kunskaper, verktyg och medel de behöver för att möta de digitalt engagerade medborgarna? Är det ansvarsfulla ledarskapet förbättrat genom användandet av IKT verktyg? Jag har använt mig av kvalitativa forskningsintervjuer för att genomföra denna studie. Den huvudsakliga teorin som applicerats är Habermas kommunikationsteori: the theory of communicative action. Sammanfattningsvis försöker Habermas teori förklara den sociala strukturen genom en förståelse av de sätt på vilka kommunikationen är utformad och organiserad (Unwin, 2009). Resultaten är presenterade i form av utvalda citat som reflekterar och representerar resultaten av denna studie, och de är analyserade i ljuset av Habermas theory of communicative action. Denna studie visar att de lokala politiska ledarna i Rwenzori regionen uppskattar de ökade kraven från medborgarna genom IKT. Studien visar också att IKT har underlättat kommunikationen mellan de lokala politiska ledarna och medborgarna, och också i hög grad bidragit till att förbättra tvåvägskommunikation mellan dem. Men samtidigt kämpar de lokala politiska ledarna med många utmaningar när de försöker hålla sig ansvariga genom samma IKT kanaler. Några av utmaningarna som de kämpar med är dålig infrastruktur, brist på kompetens och tillgång till själva IKT redskapen. En av de mest anmärkningsvärda upptäckterna som denna studie gjort är insikten om att nästan inga av de lokala politikerna i Rwenzori regionen har en budget som är avsedd för kommunikation med sina medborgare. Avslutningsvis visar denna studie att politiskt ansvarsfullt ledarskap i Rwenzori regionen har förbättrats genom användandet av IKT verktyg, men att gynnsam arbetsförhållanden är nödvändig om ansvarsfullt ledarskap genom användandet av IKT verktyg till fullo ska kunna förverkligas och nå full potential. Genom att analysera resultaten från denna forskning i ljuset av Habermas kommunikationsteori (Theory of communicative action) så har inte bara fördelarna med IKT i demokratisk utveckling synliggjorts, utan också utmaningarna med dem.

Cette thèse se penche sur les contributions de la formation enseignante partiellement à distance et à l’aide du mobile, comment celles-ci évoluent et quels facteurs l’influencent. Les deux premiers chapitres discutent le contexte de recherche de cette thèse. Ils montrent le lien étroit entre l'évolution des politiques éducatives, les stratégies de recrutement des enseignants et la nécessité d'une formation à la fois réaliste et qualitative des enseignants. Après un rappel de la croissance exceptionnelle du secteur des infrastructures mobiles, la revue de littérature expose les résultats de recherches récentes de l’utilisation du mobile pour la formation des maitres à distance. Le contexte de la recherche montre qu'il y a un manque de recherche sur les contributions à moyen terme de la formation assistée par mobile et que cela est étroitement lié à l'approche ‘court-termiste’ des projets pilotes. C’est pour cela que quatre études (chapitres 5 à 7) cherchent à analyser les contributions dans une perspective à la fois multidimensionnelle et longitudinale. La première étude (chapitre 5) analyse d'un point de vue exploratoire les contributions rapportées et observées de la formation IFADEM chez les anciens participants. Il révèle entre autres que les contributions de soutien sont principalement reposent sur le mobile et sont intégrées dans la sphère professionnelle et privée. Ces usages durables sont motivés par une motivation intrinsèque et perdurent grâce à une forte expérience d'appropriation collective qui a servi de « coup d'envoi» aux nouvelles pratiques. Compte tenu de la domination des usages mobiles, la deuxième étude (chapitre 6) se concentre sur les communications mobiles. Elle confirme la pérennité des communications téléphoniques malgré la fin des stimuli organisationnels ou financiers externes, et montre également comment ces communications durables par téléphone reflètent l'appropriation permanente du mobile pour le travail et le privé. Ce chapitre permet en outre d'identifier les facteurs clés qui permettent ce processus d'appropriation en premier lieu. En plus de cette identification de ce que l'on peut appeler des « facteurs de risque et de réussite» pour des contributions mobiles de formation continue des enseignants, elle révèle également l'importance de la communication continue entre pairs parmi les anciens participants. Par la suite, la troisième étude (chapitre 7) analyse les structures et les processus de ces connexions mobiles prises en charge. Comme l'ont indiqué les répondants interrogés pour la première étude, la présence d'un réseau d'enseignants collaboratif stable pourrait être confirmée. Son analyse permet de qualifier les liens entre les anciens participants, qui sont à la fois de nature instrumentale et expressive. Les motivations multiples pour faire partie de ce réseau contribuent à sa durabilité et à son autonomie plus de deux ans après la fin de la formation, durabilité qui est renforcées par la présence de leaders qui assurent la circulation de l'information interne et externe. Globalement, il fournit une perspective supplémentaire sur l'importance et les résultats d'un processus d'appropriation collective. Enfin, la quatrième étude (chapitre 8) change de perspective, abordant la question des contributions à moyen terme et des facteurs pertinents pour la durabilité à travers l'organisation des parties prenantes, à savoir ceux qui financent, organisent, conçoivent et évaluent la formation mobile des enseignants. Cette étude indique non seulement que les acteurs se perçoivent comme faisant partie d'un système soumis à une pression politique considérable et exigent que leurs activités soient fortement limitées, ce qui conduit à une perspective à court terme sur les facteurs de succès. / This dissertation analyzes the contributions of mobile supported teacher training, how these evolve and which factors take influence on this evolution. The first two chapters expose the close link between the evolution of education policies, teacher recruitment strategies and the need for a both realistic and qualitative teacher training. After a recall of the exceptional growth of mobile infrastructure sector, the use of distance and notably mobile supported teacher training is discussed. The research context shows that there is lack of research on the medium-term contributions of mobile supported teacher training and provides strong indicators that this issue is closely related to the overall short-term approach of pilot projects. Therefore, four studies (chapter 5 to 7) seek to analyze contributions through a both multidimensional and longitudinal perspective. The first study (Chapter 5), analyzes from an exploratory perspective the reported and observed contributions of the IFADEM training among former participants. It reveals amongst others that the sustaining contributions are mostly mobile phone supported and well embedded in the professional and private sphere of former individuals. These sustainable usages are driven by intrinsic motivation, and sustain because of a strong collective appropriation experience that acted as ‘kick off’ phase for new practices. Given the domination of mobile usages, the second study (chapter 6) focuses on mobile communications, one of the reported key contributions of the IFADEM training. It confirms the sustainability of phone communications despite the end of external organizational or financial stimuli, and shows also how phone these sustainable communications reflect the ongoing appropriation of mobile for work and private matters. This chapter allows further to identify those key factors that allow for this appropriation process to happen in the first place. Besides this identification of what can be called ‘risk and success factors’ for sustainable mobile teacher training contributions, it reveals also the importance of ongoing peer to peer communication among former participants. Subsequently, the third study (Chapter 7) analyzes structures and processes of these mobile supported connections. As indicated by respondents interviewed for the first study, the presence of a stable, collaborative teacher network could be confirmed. Its analysis allows qualifying the ties among former participants, which are both of instrumental and expressive nature. Multiple motivations to be part of this network contribute to its sustainability and autonomy over two years after the end of the training, strengthened by the presence of leaders who ensure internal and external information flow. Overall, it provides an additional perspective on the importance and outcomes of a collective appropriation process. Finally, the fourth study (Chapter 8) shifts perspectives, approaching the question of medium-term contributions and pertaining factors for sustainability through the lens of organizing stakeholders, i.e. those who fund, organize, design and evaluate mobile teacher training. This study indicates not only that actors perceive themselves as part of a system with considerable political pressure and demands that constraint significantly their activities, leading to a short term perspective on success factors.It reveals also that projects partners are considered simultaneously as goal and obstacle. Their descriptions indicate an often difficult and sometimes patronizing relationship, which occupy a central place in projects preoccupations’. Actors depict also pilot projects as organizational and political instrument. The collision of a normative discourse of high moral value with a technical and organization oriented discourse is one of the striking results of this study.

Purpose: The purpose of our research was to study the role and impact that ‘information and communication technologies’ and the MEC centers might have on the Uruguayan society. We want to examine how MEC and ICT usage could affect daily lives of marginalized people in Uruguay. We want to explore how it might benefit individuals living in small communities by evaluating indicators of positive impact of how ICT usage could strengthen capitals and increase freedom. Furthermore, our aim is to understand how digital literacy and the access to ICT’s can be related to democracy, and try to understand if greater individual empowerment also could enhance democracy. Method: For a period of eight weeks, from March 3rd to 28th of April 2014, we were in Montevideo and vicinity to gather material that we later have analyzed qualitatively. The material is based on observations in the field, interviews with various stakeholders, manuals and national policy documents concerning MEC, as well answers we received from an online survey. Main conclusions:We have found that the MEC centers and ICT, combined with education, could be an important tool to facilitate the inclusion of marginalized groups in the Uruguayan society. Our findings indicate that the MEC centers in Uruguay could contribute to the decentralization of the country and have a positive impact on gender- and generation equality. The result suggests that the centers could have a positive impact on democracy in Uruguay by teaching participants how to use e-governmental services as well as encouraging them to participate in online governmental websites. Furthermore, we found that MEC lets the local communities be in charge of their own development, which indicate that the sustainability of the project is increased as well as the positive development outcome. Through the MEC centers we found that both the freedom and the social capital of the participants were positively affected.

The thesis is about a small NGO that is working with the rights of persons with albinism in Tanzania. It deals with the NGOs advocacy work on a local and national level, and addresses the challenges that come with their work.  I have concluded that advocacy is a powerful tool for NGOs to use as a part of their strategic communication. NGOs in the Global South and especially Africa are given less attention, thus having less opportunities of reaching out with their message. I have also concluded that for an NGO to succeed in its advocacy work it needs to carefully identify its target audiences and adapt the messages thereafter. To build a relationship with the audiences is also an important part of the process, as a strong relationship increases the chances of involvement in the organization. ICTs can be very useful for NGOs that strive to reach out to the global community.

The use of information and communication technologies, ICTs, is increasing the possibilities to exchange information and communicate in different contexts all over the World. The use of ICTs for development, ICT4D, in order to contribute to the improvement of living standards in developing countries is one of these possibilities. This paper presents a qualitative research based on a case study in Nicaragua, which explores the current situation when it comes to the uses of ICTs and its potential to be used to develop in a sustainable manner. The research framework is based on empowerment theories and the study of the diffusion of innovation and it shows how ICTs are being used in a rural community in Nicaragua to amplify their needs through communication, gaining visibility among other actors, increasing their opportunities and empowering themselves by increasing the awareness of power imbalances and identifying and learning about new possibilities through ICTs. This paper also studies the diffusion of ICTs in the community and deepens the understanding of the role of individuals and other interpersonal factors in the innovations-adoption process. / Information and communication technologies, ICTs, are becoming more and more popular all over the World. The use of mobile phones, smartphones and the Internet is a revolution that affects our everyday lives in both professional and personal contexts. These potential for different uses has converged in the appearance of ICT4D, ICT for development, which promotes the use of new technologies to offer new social and economical opportunities for developing countries. On the other hand, the use of resources and the impact of development on the environment is also a trigger to consider sustainability in the combination together with ICT4D in countries that are aiming to grow during the upcoming years. This paper presents an overview of the uses of ICTs in a rural community in Nicaragua through a case study and explores the potential and limitations for the use of new technologies to achieve a more sustainable development. The study presents how different community members use ICTs to communicate with other individuals in a personal sphere (family and friends) but also that there are other uses related to other actors which implies the creation of networks and therefore the increasing of visibility and opportunities for the community. These uses are leading to new situations where the community is gaining power in relation with other actors. The thesis shows how ICTs are promoting and amplifying the communication among actors, which, at the same time, are bringing new information and opportunities for the community. Due to the fieldwork in Nicaragua, this thesis has been able to identify the uses of ICT4D but also the role of different individuals and how some personal characteristics are promoting the use of new technologies. Different stages for the diffusion of the innovation are explained to show that among the interviewees we can identify degrees in the knowledge and practice of the ICTs where different uses are tested before the adoption of the innovation or not. At the same time, the paper presents the main limitations identified by the actors for the use of ICTs, which should be considered in the implementation of ICT4D such as degree of education, age, economic resources, fear to change or lack of motivation among others. Finally, in relation with the use of ICTs for sustainable development, the paper presents the opportunities identified by the actors being aware that the environment is presented as an instrumental element to develop socially and economically but also that ICTs are considered as an opportunity to learn about a more sustainable resource management and as a way of obtaining new resources from entities to avoid or reduce environmental impacts.

Our study has explored how university students at the Technical University of Mombasa, TUM, in Kenya consume news. The aim of the research has been to get a snapshot picture of what the consumption look like in a time and context when the development of Internet Communication Technology, ICT, has increased rapidly in a short period of time. Our empiric data has been collected through three different methods. First we approached the area of the Technical University of Mombasa with an ethnographic method. Then we went on with an in-depth interview with one of our key informants before handing out a survey to collect quantitative data to analyse. Through theoretical framework rooted in the theories of Digital divide and New media we interpreted our data to be able to answer our research questions. The results show that the use of the smartphone is widely spread in order to consume news among students of TUM. Money is still a big obstacle for the majority of the students in our population in how they can access news through technical devices. The gap between those who can afford and those who fight with financial issues is still large. Our study confirms that the gap in the digital divide is still big but we could read signs telling us that the gap maybe is about to shrink.