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A holistic perspective on the theoretical foundations for ICT4D research

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  • Maung K. Sein
  • Devinder Thapa
  • Mathias Hatakka
  • Øystein Sæbø

Abstract

While many theories have guided research Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), we are yet to construct a clear and coherent narrative that would help us answer the question of how ICT fosters development in underdeveloped communities. In this paper, we argue that one of the main reasons for this is that our holistic understanding of ICT4D is seldom grounded in theories to understand the core areas that define the field, namely, ICT, Development, and, ‘4’ which are the transformative processes that link the two. Through a brief literature review, we list theories that have informed ICT4D research in each of these areas. We present examples of theories, namely, Capability Approach, Affordances, and Actor-Network Theory together with Social Capital and illustrate how we have used them in our research. Building on this holistic perspective on theoretical foundation, we propose five agendas for ICT4D research.

Suggested Citation

  • Maung K. Sein & Devinder Thapa & Mathias Hatakka & Øystein Sæbø, 2019. "A holistic perspective on the theoretical foundations for ICT4D research," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 7-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:titdxx:v:25:y:2019:i:1:p:7-25
    DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2018.1503589
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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel Baffour Gyau & Paschal P. Paaga & Ernest Asimeng & Bright Boadu, 2023. "Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Financial Development and ICT Infrastructure Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(8), pages 629-641, August.
    2. Nisreen Ameen & Nnamdi O. Madichie & Amitabh Anand, 2023. "Between Handholding and Hand-held Devices: Marketing Through Smartphone Innovation and Women’s Entrepreneurship in Post Conflict Economies in Times of Crisis," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 401-423, February.
    3. Haenssgen, Marco J. & Charoenboon, Nutcha & Zanello, Giacomo, 2021. "You’ve got a friend in me: How social networks and mobile phones facilitate healthcare access among marginalised groups in rural Thailand and Lao PDR," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Tsele T. Nthane & Fred Saunders & Gloria L. Gallardo Fernández & Serge Raemaekers, 2020. "Toward Sustainability of South African Small-Scale Fisheries Leveraging ICT Transformation Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, January.

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