Developing a comparative framework of <scp>ICT4D</scp> initiatives in the global <scp>S</scp>outh: A critical realist approach

Hussain, Faheem; Brown, Suzana

doi:10.1002/isd2.12055

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…There have been a variety of reasons posited for the increasing use of critical realism in ICT4D, one being that critical realism provides an antidote to the “philosophical duopoly” of positivism and interpretivism that has dominated the ICT4D field for decades (Heeks & Wall, 2018). Detailed discussion on the importance of critical realism in the ICT4D field is deliberated in more detail in the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries special edition (Vol 84, issue 6) on “Critical Realism and ICT4D,” which includes papers from Heeks and Wall (2018), Thapa and Omland (2018), Hussain and Brown (2018) and Masiero (2018). Further demonstration to that effect is evidenced by a variety of recent papers including Hussain et al (2020), Brown et al (2019), Wall et al (2019), and Heeks et al (2018).…”

Section: Research Framework and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of information and communications technology in refugee entrepreneurship: A critical realist case study

Brown

Saxena

Wall

2021

E J Info Sys Dev Countries

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It is widely claimed that information and communications technology (ICT) enables entrepreneurship among refugees. However, the specific impact ICT has on refugee entrepreneurship is not fully understood. This study addresses the research gap by investigating the role ICT plays in enabling entrepreneurial activities among refugees in the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi. Drawing on 25 structured interviews we explore the opportunities and challenges faced by refugee entrepreneurs in this context. A critical realist approach is leveraged to identify the stages of business growth where ICT is an important driver and uncover other mechanisms that both enable and/or constrain entrepreneurship. Analysis suggests four generative mechanisms that either enable or constrain refugee business entrepreneurship. The most important finding is that the survival of refugee businesses is facilitated by the market mechanism, with only the growth stage significantly influenced by ICT. Our findings directly conflict with the existing literature that suggests ICT is essential for fostering business entrepreneurship among refugees. This work offers a unique framework for policy interventions that provides guidance on the circumstances, the type of technology and the way it should be leveraged in order to facilitate entrepreneurship.

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Section: Research Framework and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of information and communications technology in refugee entrepreneurship: A critical realist case study

Brown

Saxena

Wall

2021

E J Info Sys Dev Countries

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“…The idea of ICT4D is premised that 'ICT can improve the socio-economic conditions in developing countries' (Avgerou, 2010, p. 1). In a recent study, Hussain and Brown (2018) developed a comparative framework for ICT4D initiatives in Bangladesh and Rwanda by adopting a critical realist philosophical approach. Exploring the idea of ICT4D, Avgerou (2010) classified different theoretical discourses and conceptual arrangements for Information Systems (IS) Innovation into four discourses.…”

Section: From Digital Divide To Digital Inclusion and Ict4dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital inclusion challenges in Bangladesh: the case of the National ICT Policy

Aziz

2020

Contemporary South Asia

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This study assesses the impact and effectiveness of the National Information and Communications Technology Policy (NIP) in Bangladesh, which is a key legal framework for "Vision 2021" and "Digital Bangladesh". It investigates the extent to which digital inclusion can be achieved by the NIP strategies, as well as exploring the conceptualisation of digital inclusion, which undergirds the contemporary debate on the digital divide and inclusion. The study employs a qualitative approach using policy goal-means analysis to explore critical scrutiny of the internal rationality and logic of the NIP based on three distinct criteria of the digital inclusion analytical framework: ICT access, use and skills. The analysis argues that the policy is ambiguous and techno-centric, with a narrow digitization frame of reference, which does not comprehensively address the issues associated with digital inclusion. Policy needs to be consistent and relevant to a person's daily life, giving the user a sense of empowerment and skill. The article concludes that a focus on a skill-based approach and the context of societal challenges of Bangladesh is crucial to ensuring digital inclusion.

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“…In development, true peer‐to‐peer micro‐lending communities have so far been relatively rare but one example is Zidisha, which allows virtually‐direct microlending to farmers and micro‐entrepreneurs in a number of African and Asian countries (Sun, ). Production: such as open source models of software production. While these were initially restricted to the global North, they are now increasingly used in developing countries with examples of both South‐South and North‐South collaboration (Gizaw, Bygstad, & Nielsen, ; Hussain & Brown, ). There are a number of different models for open source software production but most are based on a commitment to sharing and open participation among a community of peers. Consumption: reflected in growth of “collaborative consumption” in the global South.…”

Section: Digital Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

ICT4D 3.0? Part 2—The patterns of an emerging “digital‐for‐development” paradigm

Heeks

2020

E J Info Sys Dev Countries

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There is evidence of "ICT4D 3.0": a new "digital-for-development" paradigm emerging in the relationship between digital technologies and international development.Part 1 of this paper looked at the component parts of that paradigm. Part 2, provided here, analyses the impact of the paradigm on development. It does this by looking for big-picture patterns in terms of two key logics that shape society: the logic of competition and the logic of cooperation. Looking at evidence in the economic and political domains, it finds that digital technologies are associated with a reproduction, diffusion, mutation and intensification of the dominant, competitive logic in developing countries. We see this in relation to capitalism, competitive markets and hierarchical state-citizen relations. At the same time, though, the digital-for-development paradigm is also associated with growing examples and opportunities for an alternative economics and an alternative politics based around cooperative logic. The paper ends with some suggestions for the future digital-for-development research agenda.ICT4D, digital-for-development, paradigm, trends, logics | INTRODUCTIONAs argued in Part 1 of this two-part paper, there is evidence of a new relationship between digital technologies and international development. It was suggested this might be called a "digital-for-development" paradigm, which could be understood through the framework shown in Figure 1.Part 1 laid out the components of that emerging paradigm: what were called its "foundations" and "building blocks." In this part of the paper, I look at the impact and implications of the paradigm; particularly seeking to understand some of its big-picture patterns in relation to two fundamental guiding forces for human society: competitive logic and cooperative logic.First, this paper briefly explains these two logics as the basis for viewing the impact of a digital-for-development paradigm. The main weight of the paper is then given to looking at evidence for five patterns of relation between the two logics: seen first in evidence from the digital economy and second in evidence about the intersection between digital technologies and politics in developing countries. The paper ends with a short conclusion and reflection on elements of a digital-for-development research agenda. | IMPACT OF THE DIGITAL-FOR-DEVELOPMENT PARADIGMThe impact of digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) on international development can be considered at the micro-level of the individual. There is, for example, an ongoing stream of evidence conceptualising this through one or more of three lenses (Heeks, 2014):• Economic: development as accumulation of financial capital.

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Developing a comparative framework of ICT4D initiatives in the global South: A critical realist approach

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

The role of information and communications technology in refugee entrepreneurship: A critical realist case study

The role of information and communications technology in refugee entrepreneurship: A critical realist case study

Digital inclusion challenges in Bangladesh: the case of the National ICT Policy

ICT4D 3.0? Part 2—The patterns of an emerging “digital‐for‐development” paradigm

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