Collaboration Challenges in Community Telecommunication Networks

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on networks and, more specifically, on the development of community telecommunication networks. It strives to understand the collaboration needed for innovative projects such as intelligent networks. Guided by a change management framework, collaboration within a community network is explored in terms of the formation and performance phases of its development. The context, content, and process of each phase is analyzed, as well as the interaction of the two phases. User involvement and technology appropriation are discussed. Collaboration challenges are identified and linked to the sustainability of the community network. Policy makers are presented with a model that gives some insight into planning and managing a community network over time.

The Use of Technological Innovations in Promoting Effective Humanitarian Aid

“…There are also numerous challenges (often concerned with human interaction) associated with adopting ICT applications in this field; for example, HSCs require input from many stakeholders that are geographically disparate and hold several conflicting mandates, goals and objectives (Oloruntoba and Gray, 2006;Oloruntoba and Kovacs, 2015). It is widely recognized that innovative ICT applications require a large degree of collaboration between all involved (Albert and LeBrasseur, 2007) and such lack of collaboration can therefore act as a significant barrier to successful innovative ICT adoption in HSCs. Similarly, those engaged in humanitarian relief may do so because of the mission, beliefs or values of the cause or organization, and may be less concerned with the application of ICT.…”