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
1. TITLE PAGE
2. ABSTRACT
3. DEDICATION
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
Objectives and Themes
This dissertation asks how information and communication technology initiatives can contribute to sustainable livelihoods in rural communities in developing countries. Through a literature review and analysis of two initiatives, it examines implementation approaches and their implications for future policy and practice.
- Technical and socio-technical perspectives on ICT
- Human-centred approaches to rural development
- Telecentres, shared access and implementation strategies
- The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and livelihood assets
- Rural ICT initiatives in India and Mozambique
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 THE CONTEXT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IN DCS
Most people have an image of what is meant by a rural area. Yet, the subject is contentious, particularly regarding whether rural towns are rural or urban and vice versa (Hite 1999; Gordon and Craig 2001). For the purpose of this study, the meaning of rural communities in DCs would be based on their characteristics (Hite 1999).
In a global survey on rural communications, it was found that about 40 per cent of the world’s population live in the rural and remote areas of DCs where access to ICTs such as basic telephony, broadcasting and the Internet are still very limited (ITU 2004). These areas are isolated or far detached from an urban or city centre and dispersed geographically (Hudson 1999). They are characterised by income levels far below the estimated national income per capita, low literacy rates not only in international but also in local languages, and a general lack of essential social amenities (Nepal and Petkov 2002; UNESCAP 2005).
Surprisingly, provision and access to these facilities especially, ICTs tend to cost higher in these locations than in urban areas (Munyua 2000; Mahmood 2005). Even where the costs are the same, the low-income level still puts rural settings in a disadvantage. In some cases a suburban area may possess similar features as those in the remote areas and may thus be classified as rural (Gordon and Craig 2001).
Given the above hurdles, many people, including investors find these areas insecure and unattractive for business ventures, resulting in lack of job opportunities for the youth (Munyua 2000), compelling them to migrate to the urban centres in search of non-existent jobs, particularly given their low level of education and skills (McNamara 2003). In terms of economic activities, rural communities have long been associated with peasant agriculture and other non-knowledge work (Hudson 1992). This is historically grounded and can be traced back to colonial rural development, which focused narrowly on keeping rural areas in a backward state without education for the purpose of securing labour supplies for the mines or commercial agriculture (Shepherd 1998). It was either intentionally or ignorantly ignored that these areas could either benefit immensely from other non-farm sectors or contribute more, agriculturally when they are enlightened (Davis 2003)
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1 : INTRODUCTION: Introduces the research problem, objectives and questions. It explains the qualitative approach and the use of secondary sources and case studies.
Chapter 2 : PERSPECTIVES ON ICT AND ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Compares technical and socio-technical views of ICT and considers competing perspectives on rural development.
Chapter 3 : MARRIAGE OF ICT AND RURAL COMMUNITIES: Examines rural contexts, approaches to ICT implementation and the potential roles of technology through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework.
Chapter 4 : REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE WITH RURAL ICT INITIATIVES: Analyses the Gyandoot portal in India and the CIUEM telecentre initiative in Mozambique, considering their implementation and relationship to rural livelihoods.
Chapter 5 : CONCLUSIONS-Synthesising lessons to improve rural ICT implementation: Revisits the research questions and discusses lessons and implications for rural ICT practice.
Keywords
information and communication technology, rural development, sustainable livelihoods, developing countries, telecentres, digital divide, socio-technical systems, livelihood assets, community participation, Gyandoot, Mozambique, India, ICT implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this dissertation about?
It examines how ICT initiatives can support the livelihoods of rural communities in developing countries.
What are its central themes?
Its themes include rural development, access to information, telecentres, implementation strategies and sustainable livelihoods.
What is the main research question?
The central question is how rural ICT initiatives can contribute to sustainable livelihoods and what lessons can improve their implementation.
What research method does the author use?
The author uses a qualitative literature review and analysis of two case studies based on secondary sources.
What does the main body examine?
It develops conceptual perspectives on ICT and rural development, discusses implementation approaches and analyses two initiatives through a livelihoods framework.
Which keywords characterise the work?
Key terms include ICT, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, telecentres, community participation and the digital divide.
Which initiatives are examined?
The case studies address India’s Gyandoot e-government portal and the CIUEM rural telecentre initiative in Mozambique.
How is the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework used?
It provides a way to consider livelihood assets, vulnerability, institutions, strategies and outcomes when analysing ICT initiatives.
How does the dissertation distinguish implementation approaches?
It discusses technology-push and social-pull drivers, infrastructure and service delivery, and top-down and bottom-up strategies.
- Citar trabajo
- David Sanka Laar (Autor), 2005, ICT Implementation in Rural Communities in Developing Countries, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/312470
