Abstract
In recent years, community and development informatics researchers (cf. Bayes, 2001; Hassen and Svensson, 2014; Heeks and Jagun, 2007) have endeavoured to assess the community use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their development implications. They argue that it is possible to reduce the global and regional inequality in accessing ICTs to achieve wider development objectives. However, scepticism regarding the success of ICT-led initiatives and concerns regarding their actual and potential challenges have also been voiced in academic literature (Fors and Moreno, 2002; Kuriyan et al., 2008; Mariscal, 2005; Parmar et al., 2007), and hence the assessments of the impact of ICT intervention on development remain inconclusive, indicating the need for further studies (Donner, 2006; Rashid and Elder, 2009; Thapa and Sæbø, 2014). Nevertheless, due to the multidisciplinary nature of ICT for development research, various theoretical avenues have been explored to investigate the adoption, use and impact of ICT in developing societies. From personal computers to mobile telephones, from telecentres (kiosk-based information centres) to social media, various forms of ICT applications and their contextual use and subsequent socio-economic impacts have been monitored by researchers from information systems (IS), development economics, social science and consumer studies over the years.
Access provided by Autonomous University of Puebla. Download to read the full chapter text
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
References
Abraham, R. (2007), “Mobile phones and economic development: evidence from the fishing industry in India”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 5–17.
Agerfalk, P. J. and Eriksson, O. (2006), “Socio-instrumental usability: IT is all about social action”, Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 21, pp. 24–39.
Avgerou, C. (2010), “Discourses on ICT for Development”, Information Technology and Development, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1–18.
Bayes, A. (2001), “Infrastructural and rural development: insights from a Grameen Bank village phone initiative in Bangladesh”, Agricultural Economics, Vol. 25, pp. 261–272.
Belay, K. and Abebaw, D. (2004), “Challenges facing agricultural extension agents: a case study from South-Western Ethiopia”, African Development Review, Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 139–168.
Birkhaeuser, D. and Evenson, R. E. (1991), “The economic impact of agricultural extension: a review”, Economic Development and Cultural Change, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 607–650.
Black, A. W. (2000), “Extension theory and practice: a review”, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 493–502.
Brandtzæg, P. B., Heim, J. and Karahasanovic, A. (2011), “Understanding the new digital divide — a typology of Internet users in Europe”, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Vol. 69, No. 3, pp. 123–138.
Carmody, P. (2012), “The informationalisation of poverty in Africa? Mobile phones and economic structure”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 1–17.
Chigona, W. (2005), “An empirical investigation into factors influencing the choice of sources of information for rural community”, Community Informatics Research Network 2005, PhD Colloquium and Conference Proceedings, pp. 231–237, website address: http://www.cirn2005.org
Chigona, W., Beukes, D., Vally, J. and Tanner, M. (2009), “Can mobile Internet help alleviate social exclusion in developing countries?”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 36, No. 7, pp. 1–16.
Choudrie, J., Grey, S. and Tsitsianis, N. (2010), “Evaluating the digital divide: the silver surfer’s perspective”, Electronic Government, an International Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 148–167.
Çilan, C. A., Bolat, B. A. and Coşkun, A. (2009), “Analysing digital divide within and between member and candidate countries”, Government Information Quarterly, Vol. 26, pp. 98–105.
Coopers, J. (2006), “The digital divide: the special case of gender”, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol. 22, Issue 5, pp. 320–334.
Crenshaw, E. M. and Robinson, K. K. (2006), “Globalisation and the digital divide: the role of structural conduciveness and global connection in internet diffusion”, Social Science Quarterly, Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 190–207.
Cullen, R. (2003), “The digital divide: a global and national call to action”, The Electronic Library, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 247–257.
De Angoitia, R. and Ramirez, F. (2009), “Strategic use of mobile telephony at the bottom of the pyramid: the case of Mexico”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 35–53.
DeSanctis, G. and Poole, M. S. (1994), “Capturing the complexity in advanced technology use: adaptive structuration theory”, Organization Science, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 121–127.
Dewan, S. and Riggins, F. J. (2005), “The digital divide: current and future research directions”, Journal of Association of Information Systems, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 298–337.
Dey, B. L., Binsardi, A. and Ahmed, M. (2013a), “The acceptance and adoption of mobile telephony by Bangladeshi farmers: a qualitative enquiry”, International Journal of Management Practice, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 178–198.
Dey, B. L., Binsardi, A., Prendergast, R. and Saren, M. (2013b), “A qualitative enquiry into the appropriation of mobile telephony at the bottom of the Pyramid”, International Marketing Review, Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 297–322.
DiMaggio, P., Hargittai, E., Neuman, W. R. and Robinson, J. P. (2001), “Social Implications of the Internet”, Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 27, pp. 307–336.
Dissanayeke, U. and Wanigasundera, W. A. D. P. (2014), “Mobile based information communication interactions among major agriculture stakeholders: Sri Lanka experience”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 1–12.
Donner, J. (2006), “Research approaches to mobile use in the developing world: a review of the literature”, Conference paper presented at the International Conference on Mobile Communication and Asian Modernities, City University of Hong Kong, available at: http://research.microsoft.com/~jdonner.
Donner, J. (2008), “The rules of beeping: exchanging messages via intentional missed calls on mobile phones”, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, Vol. 13, pp. 1–22.
Donner, J. and Escobari, M. X. (2010), “A review of evidence on mobile use by micro and small enterprises in developing countries”, Journal of International Development, Vol. 22, pp. 641–658.
Ferro, E., Helbig, N. C. and Gil-Garcia, J. R. (2011), “The role of IT literacy in defining digital divide policy needs”, Government Information Quarterly, Vol. 28, pp. 3–10.
Fink, C. and Kenny, C. J. (2003), “Whither the digital divide?”, Info, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 15–24.
Fors, M. and Moreno, A. (2002), “The benefits and obstacles of implementing ICT strategies for development from a bottom-up approach”, Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 54, No. 3, pp. 198–206.
Futch, M. D. and McIntosh, C. T. (2009), “Tracking the introduction of the village phone product in Rwanda”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 54–81.
Gajjala, R. and Tetteh, D. (2014), “Relax, you’ve got M-pesa: leisure as empowerment”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 31–46.
Garforth, C. and Lawrence, A. (1997), “Supporting sustainable agriculture through extension in Asia”, Natural Resource Perspectives, No. 21, available at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/2927.pdf, last accessed on 25 June 2015.
Goldfarb, A. and Prince, J. (2007), “Internet adoption and usage patterns are different implications for the digital divide”, SSRN Working Paper Series, available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=882828; last accessed on 01/09/2010.
Gomez, R. and Pather, S. (2011), “ICT evaluation: are we asking the right questions?”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 1–14.
Gunkel, D. J. (2003), “Second thoughts: toward a critique of digital divide”, New Media Society, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 499–522.
Hall, P., Ghimire, G. and Newton, M. (2009), “Why don’t people use Nepali language software”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 65–79.
Hallberg, D., Hansson, H. and Nilsson, A. G. (2014), “Constraints on ICT in lifelong learning on disadvantaged women”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 61, No. 8, pp. 1–14.
Hassen, Y. A. and Svensson, A. (2014), “The role of e-commerce for the growth of small enterprise in Ethiopia”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 65, No. 1, pp. 1–20.
Heeks, R. (1999), “Information and communication technologies, poverty and development”, Development Informatics Working Paper, available at: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/publications/wp/di/di_wp05.htm, accessed on 23/03/2007.
Heeks, R. (2006), “Theorising ICT for D research”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 1–4.
Heeks, R. (2008), “ICT4D 2.0: the next phase of applying ICT for international development”, Computer, Vol. 41, Issue 6, pp. 26–33, available at: http://dev3.mobileactive.org/files/file_uploads/mco2008060026.pdf; last accessed on 31/08/2009.
Heeks, R. and Jagun, A. (2007), “m-Development: current issues and research priorities”, Short paper by Development Informatics, IPDM, University of Manchester, available at: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/publications/wp/di/index.htm#sp, accessed on 21/06/2014.
Heeks, R. and Molla, A. (2008), “Compendium on impact assessment of ICT-for-development projects”, IPDM Working Paper, available at: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/publications/wp/di/documents/di_wp36.pdf; last accessed on 31/08/2009.
Henten, A., Falch, M. and Anyimadu, A. (2004), “Telecommunications development in Africa: filling the gap”, Telematics and Informatics, Vol. 21, pp. 1–9.
Hermeking, M. (2005), “Culture and Internet consumption: contribution from cross cultural marketing and advertising research”, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol. 11, pp. 192–216.
Howell, J. L. and Habron, G. B. (2004), “Agricultural extension workers’ lack of preference for internet extension”, Journal of Extension, Vol. 42, No. 6, available at http://www.joe.org/joe/2004december/a7.php; last accessed on 03/09/2010.
Islam, A. and Rahman, A. (2006), “Growth and development of information and communication technologies in Bangladesh”, The Electronic Library, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 135–146.
Islam, M. N. (2005), “Multistakeholder partnership in ICT4D: a case study of Village Phone Programme in Bangladesh”, MSP Case Study Report, available at: http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1074602?intcmp=3007, accessed on 23 July 2007.
Jackson, L. A., Eye, A. V., Barbatasis, G., Biocca, F., Fitzgerald, H. E. and Zhao, W. (2005), “Instructional set and Internet use by low-income adults”, Cyber Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 8, No. 5, pp. 465–472.
Jagun, A., Heeks, R. and Whalley, J. (2008), “The impact of mobile telephony on developing country micro enterprise: a Nigerian case study”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 47–65.
James, J. (2004), “Reconstructing the digital divide from the perspective of a large, poor, developing country”, Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 19, pp. 172–177.
Jarvenpaa, S. L. and Lang, K. R. (2005), “Managing the paradoxes of mobile technology”, Information System Management, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 7–23.
Kalusopa, T. (2005), “The challenges of using information communication technologies (ICTs) for the small scale farmers in Zambia”, Library Hi Tech, Vol. 23, Issue 3, pp. 414–424.
Karanasios, S. (2014), “Framing ICT4D research using activity theory: a match between the ICT4D field and theory?”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 1–18.
Kirlidog, M. and Aydemir, A. T. (2005), “Determinants of culture on a rural CI project”, Community Informatics Research Network 2005, PhD Colloquium and Conference Proceedings, pp. 161–175.
Kraemer, K., Ganley, D. and Dewan, S. (2005), “Across the digital divide: a cross country analysis of the determinants of IT penetration”, Journal of the Association of Information Systems, Vol. 6, Issue 12, pp. 409–432.
Kuriyan, R. and Kitner, K. R. (2009), “Constructing class boundaries: gender, aspirations and shared computing”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 17–29.
Kuriyan, R., Ray, I. and Toyama, K. (2008), “Information communication technologies for development: the bottom of the pyramid model n practice”, The Information Society, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 1–12.
Law, D. (2004), “Bridging the digital divide: a review of current progress”, Library Management, Vol. 25, No. 1/2, pp. 17–21.
Leaning, M. (2006), “The modal nature of ICT: challenging historical interpretation of the social understanding and appropriation of ICT”, Journal of Community Informatics, Vol. 2, No. 1, available at: http://www.ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/278/230l, last accessed on 25 June 2015.
Lee, Y., Lee, I., Kim, J. and Kim, H. (2002), “A cross cultural study on the value structure of mobile internet usage: comparison between Korea and Japan”, Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 227–239.
Lenhart, A., Horrigan, J. B. (2003), “Re-visualising digital divide as a digital spectrum”, IT and Society, Vol. 1, Issue 5, pp. 23–39.
Lien, V. T. (2004), “Development and application of agricultural ICTs for socioeconomic development in rural and mountainous areas in Vietnam”, Paper presented at 6th Co-Exit-ESA Workshop, available at: http://www.jst.org.my/about_co_exist_sea/6th_workshop/agenda_1st_day.htm
Lio, M. and Liu, M. (2006), “ICT and agricultural productivity: evidence from cross-country data”, Agricultural Economics, Vol. 34, pp. 221–228.
Lu, J., Yu, C., Liu, C. and Yao, J. E. (2003), “Technology acceptance model for wireless internet”, Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 206–222.
Mariscal, J. (2005), “Digital divide in a developing country”, Telecommunication Policy, Vol. 29, pp. 409–428.
Meera, S. N., Jhamtani, A. and Rao, D. U. M. (2004), “Information and communication technologies in agricultural development: a comparative analysis of three projects from India”, Agricultural Research and Extension Network, Network Paper No. 135, available at: http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/4915/agrenpaper_135.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y, last accessed on 25 June 2015.
Meso, P., Musa, P. and Mbarika, V. (2005), “Towards a model of consumer use of mobile information and communication technology in LDCs: the case of Sub-Saharan Africa”, Info Systems, Vol. 15, pp. 119–146.
Miller, J. and Khera, O. (2010), “Digital library adoption and the technology adoption model: a cross cultural analysis”, Electronic Journal for Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 1–19.
Min, S. (2010), “From the digital divide to the democratic divide: Internet skills, political interest and second level digital divide in political Internet use”, Journal of Information Technology and Politics, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 22–35.
Mooketsi, B. and Leonard, M. (2013), “Factors influencing the usage of the tribal land information system for land management and administration: the case for Mogoditshane Subordinate Land Board”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 59, No. 5, pp. 1–17.
Munster, I. L. (2005), “The digital divide in Latin America: a case study”, Collection Building, Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 133–136.
Mutula, S. (2005), “Bridging the digital divide through e-governance: a proposal for Africa’s libraries and information centres”, The Electronic Library, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 591–602.
Nikam, K., Ganesh, A. G. and Tamizhchelevan, M. (2004), “The changing face of India. Part I: bridging the digital divide”, Library Review, Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 213–219.
OECD (2001), Understanding the Digital Divide, available at: http://www.oecd.org/sti/1888451.pdf, last accessed on 25 June 2015.
Oreglia, E. (2014), “ICT and (personal) development in rural China”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 19–30.
Orlikowski, W. J. (1992), “The duality of technology: rethinking the concept of technology in organisations”, Organisation Science, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 398–427.
Parmar, V. (2009), “A multidisciplinary approach to ICT development”, Information Technology and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 89–96.
Parmar, V., Keyson, D. and de Bont, C. (2007), “IFIP international federation for information processing, shaping social belief: a community sensitive health information system for rural India”, in A. Venkatesh, T. Gonzalves, A. Monk and K. Buckner (Eds) Home Informatics and Telematics: ICTs for the Next Billion, pp. 133–144, Springer, Boston.
Pick, J. B. and Azari, R. (2010), “Global digital divide: influence of socioeconomic, governmental and accessibility factors on information technology”, Information Technology for Development, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 91–115.
Prahalad, C. K. (2004), The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profit, Wharton School Publishing, Upper Saddle River.
Pritula, K., Dysart-Gale, D. and Radhakrishnan, T. (2010), “Expanding the boundaries of HCI: a case study requirements engineering for ICTD”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 78–93.
Rao, S. S. (2005), “Bridging digital divide, efforts in India”, Telematics and Informatics, Vol. 22, pp. 361–375.
Rashid, A. T. and Elder, L. (2009), “Mobile phones and development: an analysis of IDRC-supported projects”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 1–16.
Rashid, A. T. and Rahman, M. (2009), “Making profit to solve development problems: the case of Telenor AS and the Village Phone Programme in Bangladesh”, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp. 1049–1060.
Reijswoud, V. V. (2009), “Appropriate ICT as a tool to increase effectiveness in ICT4D: theoretical considerations and illustrating cases”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1–18.
Rhodes, J. (2005), “Uncovering the appropriation of ICT-enabled marketing concepts in a rural South African development organisation: the research methodology partnership”, Community Informatics Research Network 2005, PhD Colloquium and Conference Proceedings, pp. 161–175, website address: http://www.cirn2005.org
Singh, P. S. (2005), “The role of technology in the emergence of the information society in India”, The Electronic Library, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 678–690.
Sohaib, O. and Kang, K. (2014), “Cultural aspects of business-to-consumer e-commerce: a competitive analysis of Pakistan and Australia”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 61, No. 2, pp. 1–18.
Suchman, L., Trigg, R. and Blomberg, J. (2002), “Working artefacts: ethnomethods of the prototype”, British Journal of Sociology, Vol. 53, Issue 2, pp. 163–179.
Thapa, D. and Sæbø, Ø. (2014), “Exploring the link between ICT and development in the context of developing countries: a literature review”, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 1–15.
Vanclay, F. (2004), “Social principles for agricultural extension to assist in the promotion of natural resource management”, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 44, pp. 213–222.
Veeraraghavan, R., Yasodhar, N. and Toyama, K. (2009), “Warana unwired: replacing PCs with mobile phones in a rural sugarcane cooperative”, Information Technologies and International Development, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 81–95.
Vehovar, V., Sicherl, P., Husing, T. and Dolnicar, V. (2006), “Methodological challenges of digital divide measurements”, The Information Society, Vol. 22, No. 5, pp. 279–290.
Walsham, G. (2010), “ICTs for broader development in India: an analysis of the literature”, Electronic Journal for Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 1–20.
Willis, S. and Tranter, B. (2006), “Beyond the digital divide: internet diffusion and inequality in Australia”, Journal of Sociology, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 43–59.
Wong, X., Yen, D. C. and Fang, X. (2004), “E-commerce development in China and its implication for business”, Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 68–83.
Weblinks: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/publications/mis2012/MIS2012_without_Annex_4.pdf
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 Bidit Dey and Faizan Ali
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dey, B., Ali, F. (2016). A Critical Review of the ICT for Development Research. In: Dey, B., Sorour, K., Filieri, R. (eds) ICTs in Developing Countries. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137469502_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137469502_1
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-56320-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-46950-2
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)