Designing Technology Adoption Frameworks for Marginalized Rural Communities. A Case Study of Small-Scale Farmers in South Africa Using Design Science Research

Fachbuch , 2024 , 71 Seiten

Informatik - Wirtschaftsinformatik

In this book, the author demonstrates how Design Science Research (DSR) approach can be used to design a tailor-made technology adoption assessment framework to gauge small-scale farmers found in developing nations' marginalised rural communities' adoption of ICT. The book presents a practical approach to illustrate the implementation process by using small-scale farmers found in the deeply isolated rural areas of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) of South Africa as a case study.

The electronic environment (e-environment) created by the digital age continues to see the adoption of various technologies like Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by individuals, nations, and organisations to facilitate development, effectiveness, efficiency, enhance productivity and business opportunities. Technology adoption assessment emerged alongside the rapid adoption of technology in the digital age as a tool to evaluate the factors or determinants that influence and contribute to technology adoption. In the case of developing nations rural societies, because of the socio-economic dynamics of the marginalised rural communities, the design of the assessment tools to gauge technology adoption should capture factors such as suitability, relevance of the technology as well as local context and capacity, social implications, and availability of resources to address the unique challenges faced by the region. This makes the design of technology adoption assessment tools to gauge adoption of technology among marginalised communities in developing countries to follow a tailor-made approach.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Preface
• Scope of the book
• The use of the book
• Chapter one: The concept of Design Science
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 The concept of Design Science Research (DSR)
  • 1.3 The Chapter conclusion
• Chapter two: Awareness
  • 2.1 Introduction and background
  • 2.2 Why ICT application is vital to small-scale farming
  • 2.3 ICT Adoption Impacting Small-Scale Farming Practices
  • 2.4 ICT available to small-scale farmers
    • 2.4.1 Mobile Technology
    • 2.4.2 Mobile Applications
    • 2.4.3 Online Portals and Websites
    • 2.4.4 Agricultural Extension Services
    • 2.4.5 Geographic Information System (GIS)
    • 2.4.6 Weather Forecasting Services
    • 2.4.7 Market Information Systems
    • 2.4.8 E-Learning Platforms
    • 2.4.9 Social Media
    • 2.4.10 Radio and Podcasts
    • 2.4.11 ICT-enabled Farm Equipment
    • 2.4.12 Government Initiatives
  • 2.5 Challenges faced by small-scale farmers in ADM
  • 2.6 Conclusion
• Chapter three: Suggestions
  • 3.1 Background
  • 3.2 Context of small-scale farming in South Africa
  • 3.3 Criteria for Suitability of Existing Methods, Frameworks and Models
  • 3.4 Overview of Existing Methods, Frameworks and Models
    • 3.4.1 Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT)
    • 3.4.2 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
    • 3.4.3 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
    • 3.4.4 Capability Maturity Model (CMM)
    • 3.4.5 Farm Information System Evaluation (FISE) Framework
    • 3.4.6 Communicative Ecology Framework (CE)
    • 3.4.7 Social Network Theory (SNT)
  • 3.5 Critique of existing Frameworks
  • 3.6 Case Studies and Success Stories
  • 3.7 The study conceptual framework
    • 3.7.1 Unit of Analysis based on the initial conceptual framework
  • 3.8 Conclusion
• Chapter four: Development
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Research methodology
    • 4.2.1 Research Paradigm
    • 4.2.2 Approach to Theory Development
    • 4.2.3 Research Methodological Choice
    • 4.2.4 Research Strategy
    • 4.2.5 Sampling technique
    • 4.2.6 Data Analysis
    • 4.2.7 Descriptive Statistics
  • 4.3 Presentations of the findings
    • 4.3.1 Pilot with ADM rural small-scale farmers
    • 4.3.2 Research questions and data collection instruments
    • 4.3.3 Empirical data collection approach
    • 4.3.4 Findings and discussions
• Chapter five: final development of the study framework, evaluation, and conclusion
  • 5.1 Literature-based conceptual frameworks
  • 5.2 The study empirical data findings summary
  • 5.3 The use of DSR approaches to evaluate the proposed framework
  • 5.4 Conclusion
• References

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book aims to provide a practical approach to designing a framework for assessing ICT adoption among marginalised communities in developing countries. The author uses the Design Science Research (DSR) approach to develop a tailor-made framework, utilizing small-scale farmers in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) of South Africa as a case study.

• The use of Design Science Research (DSR) in framework development for ICT adoption assessment
• Challenges and opportunities of ICT adoption among marginalised communities in developing countries
• Exploring existing theories and frameworks for assessing ICT adoption
• Developing a tailored framework for assessing ICT adoption in rural small-scale farming communities
• The application of empirical data and findings in framework development and validation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter one: The concept of Design Science Research (DSR) is introduced, highlighting its importance for developing innovative solutions to real-world problems. The chapter also defines key concepts such as framework, theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework, providing a foundation for understanding the DSR approach.
• Chapter two: The chapter identifies the problem of limited ICT adoption among small-scale farmers in marginalised communities of ADM, South Africa. It explores the importance of ICT in modern farming, its impact on small-scale farming practices, and the various ICT technologies available to farmers. It concludes with a discussion of the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in the region.
• Chapter three: This chapter reviews existing frameworks and models for assessing ICT adoption, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. It also examines various theories like Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, providing a foundation for developing a suitable framework. The chapter then introduces the initial conceptual framework for the study and outlines the unit of analysis.
• Chapter four: The chapter details the research methodology employed in the study, including the research paradigm, approach to theory development, methodological choice, research strategy, sampling technique, and data analysis methods. The chapter also presents findings from a pilot study with ADM rural small-scale farmers, exploring the factors that influence ICT adoption and the challenges faced by farmers.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This book explores the use of Design Science Research (DSR) for developing a framework to assess ICT adoption among marginalised communities in developing countries, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by small-scale farmers in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) of South Africa. Key terms include ICT adoption assessment, framework development, marginalised communities, small-scale farming, DSR approach, empirical data analysis, and ICT technologies for agricultural development.

• Hochschule: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (School of Information Technology)
• Autor: Agyei Fosu (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2024
• Seiten: 71
• Katalognummer: V1466264
• ISBN (PDF): 9783389041079
• ISBN (Buch): 9783389041086
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Design Science, Information and Communication Technologies, information needs, information-seeking patterns, rural small-scale farmers