Information and communication Technology and Poverty: An Asian Perspective

The emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in particular the Internet, has generated new enthusiasms about the development prospects for poor economies. Many now think that new technologies can provide a faster route to better livelihoods and improved quality of life than the one afforded by the standard process of industrialization. The opposing view holds that the focus on ICTs will detract attention from the more fundamental task of addressing the basic problems of economic developmentICT; poverty; growth

Capability of Information Access and Poverty Reduction in Sri Lanka: A Cross Sectional Empirical Analysis

New economic development strategy for rural development, particularly to poverty alleviation in developing countries has been captivating information communication technology as tool for poverty reduction.  Main objective of this study is that analyzing the role of information accesses in poverty reduction in Sri Lanka. Information accesses reduce the poverty via getting opportunities to poor and increasing Poor’s empowerment directly and through the other dimensions of poverty indirectly. This study investigates the relationships and effect of traditional and modern information accesses in poverty reduction of household population among 106 divisional secretariats and 17 districts in Sri Lanka.  This study with secondary data, collected from17 districts of Sri Lanka in 2001 by using both qualitative and quantitative methodology found that poverty difference among the divisional secretariats as well as districts  are being due to the differences of capability of information accesses among them. The divisions and districts which have more information accesses have experienced with less level of poverty. Divisions and districts which have less information accesses are having more level of poverty. This study compares the importance of traditional information accesses such as literacy, news paper, television, and telephones with modern information accesses, digital TV, internet, and mobile telephones for empowerment to poor hence poverty alleviation. Both, traditional information accesses (-70%) and modern information accesses (-62%) have a negative correlation with level of poverty. Literacy which is fundamental mean to access information is more powerful determinant (-75%) of poverty in Sri Lanka. Since traditional information accesses have a negative and significant effect on poverty and modern accesses do not have statistical significant in regression analysis, this study rejects the over emphasizing of importance of information communication technology for poverty alleviation.  It concludes that both types of information infrastructures must be enriched for Poor’s improvement of capability of information accesses to reduce poverty simultaneously. Information communication technology alone can not alleviate poverty. Traditional information accesses, particularly literacy has been playing key role in poverty reduction in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Empowerment, Capability, Opportunities, Information Infrastructures, Information Communication Technology (ICI) and poverty.

ICTs and Entrepreneurial Development: A Critical Review Through the Livelihood Lens

Whilst the concept of sustainable livelihoods is increasingly central to the debate about rural development, poverty reduction and environmental management, developing economies may not be able to fully utilise the potential of ICTs for entrepreneurial development in its agricultural economies and resource-based industries. The paper reviews the ICT literature through the livelihood lens and seeks to understand how the framework is useful for informal micro-enterprises in contributing to entrepreneurial development as a route to poverty alleviation. Analysing the literature through the framework, the paper highlights that ICTs offer a strategy to achieve sustainable livelihoods by increasing access to a range of livelihood resources, structures and provide institutional linkages, while reducing vulnerabilities and dependence on physical/ natural resources. However, certain organisational, physical and human constraints may restrict the achievement of livelihoods outcomes within a specific context. To conclude, central to the framework, the author proposes how the framework may be extended through the capabilities vision to maximise the benefits that accrue from using ICTs in the informal economic sector

MARKETS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

This paper examines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can enable development of markets at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). Integrating ideas centered on the three-fold role of ICT (automate-informate-transform) and on market mechanisms, we develop research propositions explaining how (1) ICT roles facilitate development of market mechanisms at the BOP, (2) market mechanisms enable economic and social benefit outcomes for BOP markets and members, and (3) particular complementary conditions sustain ICT-enabled market development. We illustrate and support our propositions using published and secondary examples. Theoretical contributions and implications for practice and further research are also discussed

Connecting the South: from the virtual world to reality.

pp. 49-5

Wealth Creation and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria: The Role of Information Technology (IT)

The study investigated the Role of Information Technology (IT) in thecreation of wealth and poverty alleviation in Nigeria. The design of the studywas a descriptive survey, carried out at Nwafor Orizu College of Education,Nsugbe in Anambra State of Nigeria. One hundred and ninety three (193)respondents formed the sample population. Questionnaire was used for thecollection of data. Mean standard deviation and analysis of variance(ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance was used for data analysis. Thefindings revealed that Information Technology (IT) is very imperative in thecreation of wealth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Recommendations werealso made which include provision of capacity building, solar power andcreation of awareness among the communities on the use of InformationTechnology (IT), etc

Drive-by Wi-Fi and digital storytelling: development and co-creation

This paper offers a critique of two examples of innovative uses of information and communication technologies that seek to build social, economic and cultural connections in India. We compare and contrast the development approaches that underpin these projects and explore their consequences on the ground. The first approach follows a Bottom of the Pyramid model, while the other adheres to a Human Development and Capabilities Approach. While both examples use ICT innovatively, their underlying conceptions of development, notions of participation, and their project goals are fundamentally different. We explore these differences in terms of what constitutes participation and co-creation in order to think critically about the role of ICT in development

The scope of using Information & Communication Technologies (ICT’s)For the development of Emerging Economies like India

It was felt that there is a need to carry out a study on some innovative ICT platforms so that I could learn about the benefits of the ICT initiatives in rural areas. The emphasis was to examine whether the community people benefited from these project initiatives. Though the benefits of ICT platforms have been generally stated, specific assessments have not been made. It has been proved at the global level that ICT can help in poverty reduction in number of ways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the innovative applications of ICT in rural development. The synopsis, being an information technology related topic and a global issue as well, focuses a on the ongoing ICT practices for Development going on, with more emphasis on the projects in Gujarat and some review about National and Global projects as well. The study can prove to be a manual for even a layman to understand the facts, utilities and revolution that can be brought about by the said title. As a result, some chapters revolve around the practices going on world over and give a detailed look at the practices being initiated in India

Latin American Community Telecenters: "It's a long way to TICperary"

Community Telecenters, that is centers for community development using ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) , have become the focus of attention in international development circles over the past ten years, especially in Latin America. A virtual community called Somos@Telecentros is progressively taking shape in the region (http://www.tele-centros.org) with a specific interest in supporting and enabling these Community Telecenters. As part of the build up effort an inventory of telecenters was conducted, followed by a review of the situation. The latter involved self description, recording of stories on the web and through Email, and Email and face to face interviews. The results were synthesized into an analytical panorama of the telecenters movement in the region, the challenges faced, the solutions encountered and the lessons learned. This paper will summarize these findings and highlight a number of key issues, in particular, the trade-off between top-down connectivity and computer literacy programs; and horizontal and community-led and controlled comprehensive development efforts

Auditing Information and Knowledge Accessed and Utilised from Community Resource Centres in Bunda District, Tanzania

The study audited information and knowledge accessed and utilised from Community Resource Centres (CRCs) in Bunda district, Tanzania. Using a mixed methods research approach, the study audited the knowledge and information available, accessed and utilised by rural communities. The study found that the established CRCs in the district under review have yet to yield positive results in terms of the accessibility and usability of information and knowledge that meet specific expectations of rural-based poor. The information available, accessed and utilised in the wards surveyed, were too insufficient to bring about significant rural development. On the other hand, the results indicate that there are some positive and promising indicators associated with the establishment of rural resource centres in Bunda district. Thus, there is an urgent need to re-think and re-orient the development thrust and deploy community resource centres towards redressing the situation and supplementing development information and knowledge that are not covered by other outlets. Doing so can, in turn, help enhance productivity in agriculture and small businesses that many of the poor in Bunda are engaged in to alleviate poverty and accelerate the pace towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)