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Enterprise across the digital divide: information systems and rural microenterprise in Botswana

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  • Richard Duncombe

    (Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK)

  • Richard Heeks

    (Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of information and information-handling technologies within the many rural microenterprises that currently lack access to ICTs. On the basis of field research in Botswana, it finds that poor rural entrepreneurs rely heavily on informal, social and local information systems. While highly appropriate in many ways, these systems can also be constrained and insular. Priorities for breaking this insularity will be greater access to shared telephone services. ICTs may play a supplementary role. They will need to be based in intermediary organizations that can provide complementary inputs of finance, skills, knowledge and other resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:14:y:2002:i:1:p:61-74
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.869
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mead, Donald C., 1994. "The contribution of small enterprises to employment growth in southern and eastern Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(12), pages 1881-1894, December.
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    3. Daniels, Lisa, 1999. "The role of small enterprises in the household and national economy in Kenya: A significant contribution or a last resort?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 55-65, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paunov, Caroline & Rollo, Valentina, 2016. "Has the Internet Fostered Inclusive Innovation in the Developing World?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 587-609.
    2. Islam, Md. Mazharul & Habes, Essam M. & Alam, Md. Mahmudul, 2018. "The usage and social capital of mobile phones and their effect on the performance of microenterprise: An empirical study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 156-164.
    3. Ernest Etim & Olawande Daramola, 2023. "Investigating the E-Readiness of Informal Sector Operators to Utilize Web Technology Portal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-28, February.
    4. Jean-Philippe Berrou & François Combarnous & Thomas Eekhout, 2018. "Usages du mobile et performances économiques des micro et petites entreprises informelles à Dakar. Quels profils d’usagers pour quels segments de l’informel ?," Working Papers hal-02148197, HAL.
    5. Vigneswara Ilavarasan & Mark R Levy, 2010. "ICTs and Urban Microenterprises: Identifying and Maximizing Opportunities for Economic Development," Working Papers id:2819, eSocialSciences.
    6. Ortiz, Oscar & Orrego, Ricardo & Pradel, Willy & Gildemacher, Peter & Castillo, Renee & Otiniano, Ronal & Gabriel, Julio & Vallejo, Juan & Torres, Omar & Woldegiorgis, Gemebredin & Damene, Belew & Kak, 2013. "Insights into potato innovation systems in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Peru and Uganda," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 73-83.
    7. Wenxiu (Vince) Nan & Minseok Park, 2022. "Improving the resilience of SMEs in times of crisis: The impact of mobile money amid Covid‐19 in Zambia," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 697-714, May.
    8. 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.
    9. S. V. Krishna Kishore & Aloysius Henry Sequeira, 2016. "An Empirical Investigation on Mobile Banking Service Adoption in Rural Karnataka," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440166, March.
    10. Umesh Shrivastava & Amit Kumar Dwivedi, 2021. "Manifestations of rural entrepreneurship: the journey so far and future pathways," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(4), pages 753-781, October.
    11. Joël Cariolle & David A Carroll, 2020. "Digital Technologies for Small and Medium Enterprises and job creation in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers hal-03004583, HAL.
    12. Avgerou, Chrisanthi, 2010. "Discourses on ICT and development," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 35564, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    13. Ajoy Ketan Sarangi & Rudra Prakash Pradhan, 2020. "ICT infrastructure and economic growth: a critical assessment and some policy implications," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 47(4), pages 363-383, December.
    14. Melia, Elvis, 2019. "The impact of information and communication technologies on jobs in Africa: a literature review," IDOS Discussion Papers 3/2019, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    15. Jonathan Donner & Marcela X. Escobari, 2010. "A review of evidence on mobile use by micro and small enterprises in developing countries," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(5), pages 641-658.
    16. Loening, Josef & Lane, William Leeds, 2007. "Tanzania: Pilot Rural Investment Climate Assessment. Stimulating Nonfarm Microenterprise Growth," MPRA Paper 24824, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Jean-Philippe Berrou & Damien Girollet, 2019. "A la recherche des « gazelles » du secteur informel urbain africain. Entreprises et entrepreneurs à fort potentiel dans leur environnement socioéconomique et numérique," Working Papers hal-02507441, HAL.
    18. Richard Heeks & Shoba Arun, 2010. "Social outsourcing as a development tool: The impact of outsourcing IT services to women's social enterprises in Kerala," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(4), pages 441-454.
    19. World Bank, 2007. "Tanzania - Pilot Rural Investment Climate Assessment : Stimulating Non-Farm Microenterprise Growth," World Bank Publications - Reports 7798, The World Bank Group.

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