There has been a gamut of arguments concerning the role of information and communication technologies in reducing poverty and creating sustainable rural development in developing countries. But most of the studies have centred on case study descriptions, with a handful attempting to analyse the outcomes of these initiatives using a framework that addresses the multiple dimensions of the livelihoods of the rural poor. This dissertation takes a view that ICT can contribute to sustainable rural development when it is implemented and assessed through such a framework geared at building the capabilities and assets of the rural folks and improving the links within and between these people and the organisations and institutions that play a role in rural development. It reviews various paradigms of rural ICT in developing countries and goes on to analyse the implementation and contribution of two of such initiatives to rural livelihoods using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The result revealed that such factors, as the perceptions of practitioners, political contentions and policy environments are the major factors shaping ICT initiatives for the rural poor.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 : INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
1.3 RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCH
1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.5 RESEARCH STRUCTURE
1.6 SUMMARY
Chapter 2 : PERSPECTIVES ON ICT AND ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 THE CONCEPT OF ICT
2.2.1 Definition
2.2.2 The Technical View of ICT
2.2.3 The Socio-technical view of ICT
2.3 THE CONCEPT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
2.4 SUMMARY
Chapter 3 : MARRIAGE OF ICT AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 THE CONTEXT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IN DCS
3.3 MODES OF ICT IMPLEMENTATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
3.3.1 Drivers
3.3.2 Deliverables
3.3.3 Strategies
3.3.4 Cross-cutting issues
3.4 THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF ICT IN RURAL LIVELIHOODS
3.4.1 ICT in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
3.4.2 ICT and Livelihood Assets
3.4.3 ICT and Transforming structures and Processes
3.4.4 ICT and Vulnerability Context
3.4.5 ICT and Livelihood Strategies
3.4.6 ICT and Livelihood Outcomes
3.5 SUMMARY
Chapter 4 : REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE WITH RURAL ICT INITIATIVES
4.1 CASE STUDIES OVERVIEW
4.1.1 The Gyandoot e-Government Portal in India
4.1.2 The Centre of Informatics of the University Eduardo Mondlane (CIUEM) Rural Telecentre initiative in Mozambique
4.2 ANALYSIS
4.2.1 Paradigms or Modes of ICT Initiatives in Practice
4.2.2 ICT Initiatives and Rural Livelihoods
4.2.2.1 ICT and Livelihood Assets and Strategies
4.2.2.2 ICT and Transforming Structures and Processes
4.2.2.3. ICT and Vulnerability Context
4.2.2.4. ICT and Livelihood Outcomes
4.2 SUMMARY
Chapter 5 : CONCLUSIONS-Synthesising lessons to improve rural ICT implementation
5.1. REVISTING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
5.2. LESSONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Research Objectives and Themes
The main objective of this research is to examine how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives contribute to sustainable livelihoods in rural communities within developing countries. By employing the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the study seeks to identify why current initiatives often fall short and how future implementation policies can be re-oriented to better serve the rural poor.
- The impact of ICT on rural livelihood assets and strategies.
- Evaluation of "technological-push" versus "social-pull" implementation paradigms.
- The role of local participation and boundary-spanning individuals in ICT projects.
- Synthesising real-world lessons from initiatives in India and Mozambique.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4.1 ICT in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
As argued in section 2.3, this paper is of the view that rural development should be seen from the community level and in terms of sustainability. The concept of SL was developed along this line and is closely linked with basic human needs, food security, sustainable agriculture, and poverty reduction (WCED 1987). A livelihood is a means of living, comprising “the capabilities, assets (both material and social resources) and activities required for making a living” (Chambers and Conway 1992:7). It is said to be sustainable “when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base” (DFID 1999: 1). This will depend on the ability of people to develop appropriate strategies to manage their assets, over which they have control within a wider environment over which they have little control to achieve their desired livelihood outcomes (DFID 2000). As shown in Figure 3.1 below, the SL framework identifies and maps out the relationships and feedback loops between the key elements and factors that determine these outcomes.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 : INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides the background and objectives of the research, highlighting the need for better integration of ICTs within the social contexts of rural communities in developing countries.
Chapter 2 : PERSPECTIVES ON ICT AND ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: This chapter explores the conceptual foundations, arguing that a narrow technical view of ICT hinders success, while a socio-technical approach is better suited for development.
Chapter 3 : MARRIAGE OF ICT AND RURAL COMMUNITIES: This chapter examines the specific contexts of rural areas and discusses various implementation modes, introducing the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework as a tool for analysis.
Chapter 4 : REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE WITH RURAL ICT INITIATIVES: This chapter analyses two case studies—from India and Mozambique—to evaluate how ICT initiatives practically influence rural livelihoods.
Chapter 5 : CONCLUSIONS-Synthesising lessons to improve rural ICT implementation: This concluding chapter synthesises findings from the case studies to offer practical lessons, emphasizing the need for a social-pull approach and local capacity building.
Keywords
ICT, Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, Rural Development, Developing Countries, Digital Divide, Social-pull, Technological-push, Telecentres, Community Participation, Livelihood Assets, Poverty Reduction, Capacity Building, Implementation Policies, Knowledge Diffusion, Socio-technical Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in rural communities in developing countries and how these technologies can be leveraged to enhance rural livelihoods.
What are the central thematic fields?
The key themes include the interaction between technology and development, the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, implementation strategies (technological-push vs. social-pull), and the socio-technical factors that influence project success.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to uncover ways in which ICT initiatives can contribute to sustainable livelihoods and to suggest improvements for future implementation policies by identifying the causes of past shortcomings.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research employs a qualitative methodology, specifically using literature reviews and an analytical study of two distinct case initiatives in India and Mozambique.
What is covered in the main section of the dissertation?
The main sections evaluate the theoretical concepts of ICT and rural development, detail the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, and analyze real-world experiences from rural ICT projects to draw practical lessons.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include ICT, Sustainable Livelihoods, rural development, digital divide, social-pull initiatives, telecentres, and capacity building.
What is the significance of the "Gyandoot" case study?
The Gyandoot project in India serves as a practical example of a top-down, government-led initiative that highlights the challenges of ignoring local needs and backend process re-engineering in e-governance.
How does the author define a "boundary-spanning individual"?
The author describes them as people with relevant skills and local knowledge who act as essential intermediaries, bridging the gap between project goals and the actual social traditions and needs of the local community.
Why is "tele-readiness" critical for success?
Tele-readiness refers to the conceptual preparedness of a community; without it, technology is often perceived as useless or irrelevant, which ultimately undermines the sustainability of the intervention.
- Citar trabajo
- David Sanka Laar (Autor), 2005, ICT Implementation in Rural Communities in Developing Countries, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/312470
