Institutionalizing HCI in Asia

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we investigate the problems and potential solutions to the effective establishment of HCI and usability in India and China. Our discussion is motivated by five years of collaboration with relevant bodies in both countries through EU-funded projects encouraging the development of a usability culture in academic and industrial sectors. In order to contribute to socially-responsible interaction in these countries the 'institutionalization' of HCI is necessary. For us, this involves three elements: firstly an appropriation of HCI concepts and methods to suit the local country / culture, secondly the forming of a national organization around the reshaped discipline that can actively promote HCI in industry and academia and establish links with local national organizations, and thirdly the roll-out of effective usability practice in industry. Some efforts made in this regard are briefly outlined.

Theory, Practice and Policy: An Inquiry into the Uptake of HCI Practices in the Software Industry of a Developing Country

“…For example, most of India's software developments are for foreign customers (India is one of the destinations for lower development costs) (Smith et al, 2007). In Nigeria, most companies develop software for local needs (Soriyan & Heeks, 2004).…”

HCI Practices in the Nigerian Software Industry

“…However, in comparison to other developing countries such as India and China where HCI practice is growing rapidly [17], the same cannot be said of Nigeria. At best, HCI is just at the awareness level in Nigerian software companies.…”

“…Most of the spread has been in the developed countries and developing countries continue to lag behind [17].…”

Institutionalizing human-computer interaction for global health

“…By opening up development, crowdsourcing development to allow for many to contribute, by being more agile and allowing for changing requirements development could be made much more relevant for other parts of the world. Changing behaviour and attitudes to allow a more user-centred approach, however, has so far turned out to function well in different parts of the world, even if the ways in which it has been adopted change in different regions [8]. …”

“…From our previous projects we have seen that a successful institutionalization of usability and HCI in developing countries requires three elements: firstly an appropriation of HCI concepts and methods to suit the local country/culture, secondly the forming of a national organization around the reshaped discipline that can actively promote HCI in industry and academia and establish links with local national organizations, and thirdly the roll-out of effective usability practice in industry [8]. Adapting methods and tools to local needs and requirements requires both a deep understanding of the local culture and development routines as well as a genuinely collaborative development approach [9].…”