Systematic Mapping Study of Information Technology for Development in Agriculture (The Case of Developing Countries)

Abstract

With its rapid proliferation in the developing world, information and communication technology (ICT) has been accepted as an opportunity to assist disadvantaged people. Many projects have piloted ICT supporting rural communities in developing countries. Such rural communities are socially complex and infrastructurally weak environments that demand clear understanding of the social, economical, cultural and political preconditions when implementing ICT innovations. To provide a comprehensive overview of what kinds of ICT intervention and research contributions have been achieved, a systematic mapping study (SMS) was carried out. This work presents the state-of-the-art based on related journal and conference papers published between 2006-2014. The review indicates that ICT supporting farmers has gained attention over the past few years with a growing number of contributions. However, the field is still in a consolidating phase. Theoretical concepts are sparse, so it is difficult to generalize and transfer the findings. Specifically, there is limited research in IT design and development process; user-interface design for illiterate people; and user and community involvement in the design process.

ICTs and development in developing countries: A systematic review of reviews

“…Mbuyisa and Leonard () reported that four studies out of 21 empirical studies had used SLF. A few individual studies deployed SLF in other reviews (Duncombe & Boateng, ; Johnston et al, ; Thapa & Sæbø, ; Zewge et al, ).…”

“…This group includes ICT—Rural Poverty linkages framework; the framework of the impact of ICTs on growth/poverty reduction among micro and small enterprises (MSEs); and growth model, as indicated by Mbuyisa and Leonard (). Other models include the mobile telephones impact model, as reported by Donner and Escobar (); Constructive Technology Assessment Approach, as reviewed by Zewge et al (); and the concept of technology appropriation, as indicated in other reviews (Zaremohzzabich et al, ; Zewge et al, ). Some of the concept‐based approaches were deployed to assess the transformational impact of ICTs, which include the ripple effect of technologies as reported by Duncombe and Boateng ().…”

“…The technology adoption models in a given time and space were prominent models applied to primary studies. These models included technology adoption model (TAM), as indicated by four reviews (Duncombe, ; Duncombe & Boateng, ; Johnston et al, ; Zewge et al, ). Other related models include ICT adoption model for socially excluded groups; model of e‐government portal use, global IT adoption model, evaluation model of the digital business environment, and model of adoption of technology in the home as indicated by Johnston et al ().…”

“…For example, IS researcher would be interested in the process of technology development and the changes it brings to the organization, while researchers in HCI would be focusing on technology design (Avgerou, ). Hence, the contribution ICT for development may vary among disciplines according to the interest they intend to address (Avgerou, ; Thapa & Sæbø, ; Zewge, Dittrich, & Bekele, ).…”

A resistance to change perspective on nonusers of telecenters

“…In a review of studies on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), between 2000 and 2010, Gomez () observed that the focus of ICT4D was on business, and only 6% of studies focused on agriculture. Zewge, Dittrich, and Bekele () made a similar observation reviewing studies between 2006 and 2014. People in rural areas are poor for many reasons, including lack of information.…”