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How ICT4D Research Fails the Poor

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  • Roger W. Harris

Abstract

Research can improve development policies and practices and funders increasingly require evidence of such socioeconomic impact from their investments. This article questions whether information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) research conforms to the requirements for achieving socioeconomic impact. We report on a literature review of the impact of research in international development and a survey of ICT4D researchers who assessed the extent to which they follow practices for achieving socioeconomic impact. The findings suggest that while ICT4D researchers are interested in influencing both practice and policy, they are less inclined toward the activities that would make this happen, especially engaging with users of their research and communicating their findings to a wider audience. Their institutions do not provide incentives for researchers to adopt these practices. ICT4D researchers and their institutions should engage more closely with the users of their research through more and better communications with the public, especially through the use of information and communication technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger W. Harris, 2016. "How ICT4D Research Fails the Poor," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 177-192, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:titdxx:v:22:y:2016:i:1:p:177-192
    DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2015.1018115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ajoy Datta, 2012. "Deliberation, Dialogue and Debate: Why Researchers need to Engage with Others to Address Complex Issues," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(5), pages 9-16, September.
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    3. Matthew Taylor, 2005. "Bridging research and policy: a UK perspective," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 17(6), pages 747-757.
    4. Yves Gendron, 2008. "Constituting the Academic Performer: The Spectre of Superficiality and Stagnation in Academia," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 97-127.
    5. Tessa Lewin & Zachary Patterson, 2012. "Approaches to Development Research Communication," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(5), pages 38-44, September.
    6. Kirsty Newman & Catherine Fisher & Louise Shaxson, 2012. "Stimulating Demand for Research Evidence: What Role for Capacity‐building?," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(5), pages 17-24, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nora A. Mothafar & Jingxiao Zhang & Ibrahim Al-Maqrami, 2022. "The Evolution of Human Development Through the Eyes of ICT in Developing Countries Based on Panel Data from 2007 to 2017," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 16(3), pages 578-601, December.
    2. Pérez-Castro, Miguel Ángel & Mohamed-Maslouhi, Miriem & Montero-Alonso, Miguel Ángel, 2021. "The digital divide and its impact on the development of Mediterranean countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    3. Ezinne M. Emeana & Liz Trenchard & Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, 2020. "The Revolution of Mobile Phone-Enabled Services for Agricultural Development (m-Agri Services) in Africa: The Challenges for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Sergey Samoilenko, 2020. "Flip Side of the Coin: Negative Socio-Economic Implications of ICT," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 10(2), pages 168-181, June.
    5. Yuxiang (Chris) Zhao & Jia Tina Du & Natalie Pang & Jaya Raju & Hui Yan, 2023. "JASIST special issue on ICT4D and intersections with the information field," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 74(12), pages 1345-1349, December.
    6. Abhipsa Pal & Salamah Ansari, 2022. "Technology and Inequality across Three Eras: An Investigation of the Green Revolution, Yellow Revolution, and the Mobile Payments Evolution," Working papers 493, Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode.
    7. Nord, Jeretta Horn & Lee, Tzong-Ru (Jiun-Shen) & Çetin, Fatih & Atay, Özlem & Paliszkiewicz, Joanna, 2016. "Examining the impact of social technologies on empowerment and economic development," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 1101-1110.

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