Title: The Case of the Occasionally Cheap Computer: Low-cost Devices and Classrooms in the Developing World
Authors: Joyojeet Pal, Rabin Patra, Sergiu Nedevschi, Madelaine Plauche, Udai Singh Pawar
Pages: 16 pp.
ISSN: 1544-7529
e-ISSN: 1544-7537
Source: Information Technologies and International Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Spring 2009, 49–64
Publisher: USC Annenberg School for Communication
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 26/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
The quest for the low-cost computer has been one of the most significant pursuits of ICTD since the 1990s. This article examines the experiences of low-cost computing projects in developing regions and looks at some of the common entrepreneurial and technical problems faced by past and current initiatives. Focusing specifically on the domain of education, we look at the quest for low-cost devices and consider their economic and socio-cultural appropriateness to the typical classroom in the developing world. Using field studies and interviews conducted in rural Indian classrooms, we show that shared rather than single-user devices constitute a more realistic and sustainable approach for low-cost computing projects targeting children’s education.

Title: Warana Unwired: Replacing PCs with Mobile Phones in a Rural Sugarcane Cooperative
Authors: Rajesh Veeraraghavan, Naga Yasodhar, Kentaro Toyama
Pages: 16 pp.
ISSN: 1544-7529
e-ISSN: 1544-7537
Source: Information Technologies and International Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Spring 2009, 81–95
Publisher: USC Annenberg School for Communication
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 26/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
In this article, we present what we believe to be the first documented experiment to replace an existing PC-based system—one that had a goal of “bridging the digital divide” for an agricultural district—with a mobile phone-based system in which a small, but relevant amount of data is transferred to farmers via SMS (short message service) text messaging. Rural PC projects meant to serve socio-economic development are plentiful, but, in many cases, the PCs are overkill and cost too much to maintain. Warana Unwired sought to replace just such a PC-based system for managing information in a sugarcane cooperative in rural Maharashtra with an SMS-based mobile phone system. In an eight-month trial involving seven villages, Warana Unwired successfully replicated all of the PC-based functionality and was found to be less expensive, more convenient, and more popular with farmers than the previous PC-based system. This article discusses the early investigations of the Warana Wired Village Project that led to the conception and implementation of the Warana Unwired project. The new system is described in detail, and results, both quantitative and qualitative, are analyzed.

Title: Culture and Vietnam as a Knowledge Society
Authors: Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Graeme Johanson
Pages: 16 pp.
ISSN: 1681-4835
Source: EJISDC (2008) 33, 2, 1-16
Publisher: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Date published: 2008
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Key features of traditional Vietnamese culture are contrasted with modern conceptions of a knowledge society on a national scale. Longstanding features of Vietnamese society inhibit the acceptance of necessary ingredients of a knowledge nation. This article analyses evidence from official publications, recent commentaries about Vietnam, and fieldwork interviews undertaken between 2004 and 2007, relating to economic progress and cultural change, challenges of the market economy to traditional culture, and the contribution of information and communications technologies to the promotion of knowledge.

Title: Strengthening ICT Leadership in Developing Countries
Author: Nguyen Hai Thi Thanh
Pages: 13 pp.
ISSN: 1681-4835
Source: EJISDC (2008) 34, 4, 1-13
Publisher: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Date published: 2008
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
The position of Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) has been adopted by many developed countries seeking to leverage technology within the management of public administration. The position calls for an operational executive who can make important strategic decisions that impact public agency ICT. However, whereas ICT programs has attracted more attention in developing countries, very little research have been done to define the GCIO’s responsibilities and how to increase their contribution to ICT initiatives. In this paper a comparative analysis of developed and developing countries is undertaken in order to identify four major categories of solutions to how the GCIO’s leadership in developing countries can be enhanced. The four categories are: formal authority over their resource allocation in relationship to high-level leadership, the competences for cross-boundary leadership, the abilities to sustain support from staff and managers, and the development of the CIO system in the private sector. These findings can give guidance to management and GCIOs to enhance the outcome of their contributions to organizations; and as a result increase efficiency and effectiveness of government ICT projects.

Title: Can Mobile Internet Help Alleviate Social Exclusion in Developing Countries?
Authors: Wallace Chigona, Darry Beukes, Junaid Vally, Maureen Tanner
Pages: 16 pp.
ISSN: 1681-4835
Source: EJISDC (2009) 36, 7, 1-16
Publisher: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: research article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Research has shown that traditional Internet has not been successful in alleviating social exclusion in developing country. Since a significant number of the population in developing countries use mobile phones, others have suggested that mobile internet may be the solution to the problem. However, to date there has not been empirical studies in developing countries to explore that possibility. This study aims therefore to explore whether the mobile internet may be a viable option for addressing social exclusion in a developing country context. Data for the study was gathered using semi-structured interviews with socially excluded individuals and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that usage of mobile internet amongst the socially excluded is low mainly because internet-capable cell phones are still beyond the reach of the socially excluded and because of limited awareness of what mobile internet is and what it can achieve. The study also shows that while mobile internet has significant impact in addressing exclusion from social participation, its impact on economic as well political dimensions of exclusions is still limited.

Title: Tax cuts to boost Kenya broadband
Source: BBC News
Publisher: BBC
Date published: 12/06/2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: Article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Tax cuts and incentives have been announced in Kenya intended to boost broadband and mobile take-up as a new fibre optic cable is launched.

Kenya's Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta cut the 16% VAT on new phone handsets.

He also allowed internet providers to offset the cost of purchasing new fibre optic bandwidth for 20 years.

Title: Build it and They Will Come? – Inhibiting Factors for Reuse of Open Content in Developing Countries
Author: Mathias Hatakka
Pages: 16 pp.
ISSN: 1681-4835
Source: EJISDC (2009) 37, 5, 1-16
Publisher: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Open content has the potential to change the playing field when it comes to every individual’s right to education. Development of new course content is both expensive and time consuming and open content can help educational organizations to deal with these problems by offering free-to-use educational resources. Despite the benefits of open content the usage is very low in developing countries and understanding why content developers choose not to use open content is the first step towards finding a solution to the problem. Which inhibiting factors for reuse do content developers in developing countries experience with open content? To answer the question interviews, questionnaires and observations have been made with content developers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and from UNESCO Open Training Platform. Findings show that many of the inhibiting factors with reuse of open content do not necessarily relate to the actual content. Educational rules and regulations, lack of infrastructure, teaching practices and traditions etc. are major obstacles that need to be overcome if the usage of open content should increase.

Title: The Adoption and Use of Personal Internet Banking Services in Thailand
Author: Surapong Prompattanapakdee
Pages: 31 pp.
ISSN: 1681-4835
Source: EJISDC (2009) 37, 6, 1-31
Publisher: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Date published: 2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Based on existing theory and previous studies a theoretical model of the important variables that affect the adoption and use of personal Internet Banking services is developed. Using data collected by questionnaire from 618 respondents the theoretical model is analyzed and simplified using structural equation modeling techniques. The findings represented in the final model are: interpreted; compared to the findings from previous studies; and used to draw conclusions which are of practical use for those involved in the development and use of personal Internet Banking.

Title: Grassroots ICT4D Innovation
Author: Richard Heeks
Source: ICT4DBlog
Date published: 13/06/2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Innovation – especially that associated with ICTs – has often held to a rather traditional R&D model, with the innovation being undertaken in laboratories and research centres based in rich, urban locations. Viewed from the perspective of those based in the world’s poor communities this is a top-down, outside-in approach...A common solution to the problems of “laboratory innovation” has been “collaborative innovation”: research outsiders and community insiders working together in some way to develop a new ICT4D application...But the steady diffusion of ICTs and ICT-related skills into poor communities has enabled emergence of a third model. This is “grassroots innovation”: innovation from within the community itself; akin in some ways to the patterns of user-led innovation identified by Eric von Hippel...Where are the grassroots innovations in ICT4D?

Title: East Africa gets broadband: It may make life easier and cheaper
Source: The Economist
Publisher: The Economist Newspaper Limited
Date published: 18/06/2009
Date accessed: 22/06/2009
Type of information: Article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
A new telecoms revolution in the offing

The Horn of Africa is one of the last populated bits of the planet without a proper connection to the world wide web. Instead of fibre-optic cable, which provides for cheap phone calls and YouTube-friendly surfing, its 200m or so people have had to rely on satellite links. This has kept international phone calls horribly overpriced and internet access equally extortionate and maddeningly slow.

But last week, in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, a regional communications revolution belatedly got under way when Kenya’s president, Mwai Kibaki, plugged in the first of three fibre-optic submarine cables due to make landfall in Kenya in the next few months. They should speed up the connection of Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as bits of Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, to the online world.