Information Ecology as a Framework for South-South Cooperation: Case Studies of Rwanda and Bangladesh ICT-Based Health Applications

Abstract

Information Ecology represents a system of people, values, and technologies in a specific local environment. What makes Information Ecology different is that the spotlight is not on the technology but on human activities that are served by technology. As such it could be a powerful lens for understanding, evaluating, and eventually guiding South-South cooperation. We use Information Ecology to critically analyze two ICT-infused community health services, one in Bangladesh and one in Rwanda; and propose improvements for each case. Based on that analysis we believe that this framework can facilitate theoretical basis for guiding South-South cooperation, transferring knowledge and technology, and implementing policy recommendations.

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

“…Considering this, our research provides an in‐depth look into the ICT‐enabled health care services of both Rwanda and Bangladesh. This research is an extension of a previous work on ICT4D initiatives in community health care (Brown & Hussain, ).…”

“…This research is the latest phase of a multi‐year study led by the authors. Through this work, the authors are trying to conceptualize a comparative framework that can help to better understand the relative effectiveness of, and to explore possibilities of transfer between, ICT4D initiatives in global South countries (Brown & Hussain, , ). Prior to this iteration related to critical realism, the authors conducted individual research on the ICT‐driven, community‐based health care projects in Bangladesh and Rwanda (Brown & McSharry, ; Brown & Mickelson, ; Hussain & Tongia, ).…”