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Understanding the Impact of Mobile Phones on Livelihoods in Developing Countries

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  • Richard A. Duncombe

Abstract

type="main"> Mobile phones are spreading rapidly in developing countries, but research conceptualisations have been lagging behind practice, particularly those that link mobile phones to livelihoods. This article seeks to fill this gap in two ways. First, by means of a literature review which analyses how they impact upon assets – through facilitating asset substitution, enhancement, combination, exchange and forms of disembodiment. On this basis key roles for mobile phones are defined within livelihood strategies. Secondly, the analysis demonstrates the shortcomings of the livelihoods framework for understanding technological innovation; its agriculture-oriented understanding of assets; its silence on the developmental role of information and on user appropriation of technology; and its narrow categorisation of impact. Ways of addressing these shortcomings are suggested, pointing towards areas of future research and application.

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  • Richard A. Duncombe, 2014. "Understanding the Impact of Mobile Phones on Livelihoods in Developing Countries," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 32(5), pages 567-588, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:32:y:2014:i:5:p:567-588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Duncombe & Richard Heeks, 2002. "Enterprise across the digital divide: information systems and rural microenterprise in Botswana," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(1), pages 61-74.
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    3. Iva Peša, 2018. "The Developmental Potential of Frugal Innovation among Mobile Money Agents in Kitwe, Zambia," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 30(1), pages 49-65, January.
    4. Mamy Hanitriniana Razafimahatratra & Celine Bignebat & Hélène David-Benz & Jean-François Bélières & Eric Penot, 2019. "La dynamique d'adoption de l'agriculture de conservation à l'échelle des exploitations agricoles. Cas du Moyen Ouest de Madagascar," Post-Print hal-02963562, HAL.
    5. Razafimahatratra, Hanitriniaina Mamy & Bignebat, Céline & David-Benz, Hélène & Bélières, Jean-François & Penot, Eric, 2021. "Tryout and (Dis)adoption of conservation agriculture. Evidence from Western Madagascar," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    7. Ping Gao & Yajun Liu, 2020. "Endogenous inclusive development of e‐commerce in rural China: A case study," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(4), pages 1611-1630, December.

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