Urban entrepreneurs, ICTs, and emerging theories: a new direction for development communication1

Abstract

The case is presented for reorienting the current paradigm of development communication to place greater reliance on new theoretical perspectives about the network society and to bring those theories to bear on studies of information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially mobile phones, in the relatively under-examined research setting of urban entrepreneurial activity. Support for this argument is made by reviewing the current and near-future state of information and communication technologies and services, by examining the implications for development of increased urbanization in the global South, and by considering promising new scholarly theorizing relevant to ICTs for economic development. Research questions are offered regarding the use and impact of ICTs in urban micro-and small enterprises.

Application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar

“…Similarly, lack of knowledge on the use of ICTs to communicate information and knowledge was another challenge. This is in agreement with Levy and Banerjee (2008) who observed that majority of the fishermen live in rural areas and most of them have no idea or knowledge on how to use ICTs for accessing information. Other constraints mentioned by majority of artisanal fishermen were lack of support from the government and lack of awareness on the use of ICTs for disseminating fishery information.…”

Revisiting the 'Leapfrog' debate in light of current trends of mobile phone Internet usage in the Greater Johannesburg area, South Africa

“…According to a number of studies, mobile technology has had the most rapid deployment in international society of all available communication technologies (Geser 2004;Meso et al 2005;Gray 2006;Castells et al 2007;Levy and Banerjee 2008;Kreutzer 2009aKreutzer , 2009bDe Bruijn et al 2009;Ekine 2010). In 2001, 28 of 54 African countries had more mobile phones than fixed-line subscribers (Meso et al 2005: 120).…”

“…Quite a few respondents asserted that they believed the technology could replace computers in the home, and be used for social purposes, but could not do so in a business environment: 'In the business sense computers and laptops will always be used, mobile phones are more for social purposes'. This is an interesting finding, as several of the respondents indicate that they do not believe mobile technology can take the place of computers for business purposes, such as liaising with clients or updating of resource and databases, despite research that indicates otherwise (Meso et al 2005;Levy and Banerjee 2008).…”

Global communication models and formats: A case study of the sustenance of the media industry in the Arab world

“…Levy and Banerjee (2008) traced the theoretical development in development communication. Based on the works of Lerner, Rogers and Castells, they identified conceptual landmarks ranging from media and social change, the diffusion of innovation and the creation of an information society to the networked society.…”