Investigating the link between ICT intervention and human development using the capability approach: A case study of the computerised electricity management system

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel UniversityThere has been an increasing amount of investment in Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) interventions in developing countries under the premise of accelerating the process of social, economic and political development. These interventions are usually driven by the symbolic power of ICTs which signify progress and upon which the governments of developing countries try to draw to modernise the functioning of the state and to further enhance public service delivery to citizens. However, in this thesis it is argued that the actions and events that lead to the design and implementation of ICT4D tend to be politically motivated because ICT4D are simply interventions used by powerful actors and institutions to achieve their goals. These powerful actors include international donor agencies, politicians, top bureaucrats and private entities. In addition, it is argued that, due to these politically motivated agendas, ICT4D projects tend to be implemented in a top-down fashion and within an economic development perspective that appears to isolate the concerns of the country itself and the wellbeing of its citizens. In an attempt to try and redress social exclusion and imbalance, the capability approach drawn from the work of Amartya Sen (1999) stresses the enhancement of human capabilities and the moral aspects of development. Theoretically, the study is based on the key concepts of Sen’s Capability Approach. However, Lukes’s (1974) concepts of power are also drawn upon to address the limitation of the capability approach in addressing the concept of power. The research questions guiding this thesis are as follows: (1) How do the underlying motivations of different actors drive the design and implementation of ICT4D initiatives in developing countries? (2) How can researchers usefully conceptualise the relationship between ICT and development given the complexities in which ICT4D initiatives are undertaken? What conceptual framework could help theorise the complex relationship between ICT and development? Epistemologically, the study was conducted by following an interpretive research approach. The research was carried out in two states of Nigeria, Abuja and Plateau, and took place during the period of 2010-2011. The case-study centres on the initiation and implementation of the Computerised Electricity Management System (CEMS). Empirically, data collection techniques include 65 individual interviews, field observations and document analysis. The following are key findings of this thesis: ICT4D interventions are a complex process shaped at two levels. At the international level, they are shaped by donor agendas such as privatisation, and at the national or local level they are shaped by political and private interests. These agendas and interest are driven by powerful actors such as international donor agencies that often impose such interventions as a condition of aid, politicians who often use such interventions as campaign tools, and other top public and private actors who often use such interventions for personal gain. Hence, the beneficiaries of these projects usually have no say in the design of ICT4D projects but are rather forced to accept these interventions. Corruption is a major obstacle that hinders the expected ICT4D contributions in terms of individual opportunities and freedoms of living better lives inscribed in ICT4D interventions. Corruption exists as a “network” involving different actors present at three levels of ICT4D projects, namely the design, implementation and usage stages. Viewed from this perspective, the findings of this study show that international donor agencies, politicians, public bureaucrats and private entities are equally responsible for promoting corrupt practices in the context of ICT4D interventions. Theoretically, this thesis progresses the operationalisation of the capability approach (CA) by encapsulating the central aspect of the approach and Lukes’s (1974) concept of power. This is an innovative way of operationalising the capability approach by addressing its limitations in explaining the notion of power; the study thereby contributes to the field of IS using the capability approach and expanding the scope of theoretical analysis of contemporary ICT4D studies. Practically, to make the relationship between ICT and development more effective in meeting broader development goals, it is necessary for government policies to move beyond the mere provision of technology to also concentrate on the cultural, institutional, social and political aspects in ensuring the effective use of ICT resources, which should serve to improve people’s opportunity to participate more in social, political and economic activities

Evaluating the Effect of ICTs on Development Using the Capability Approach: The case of the Nigerian Pre-paid Electricity Billing

In recent years, there has been vast investment on ICT initiatives in developing countries for social, economic and political development. Yet, the impact of these investments on development is difficult to determine. The reason for this is partly because “development” itself is an extremely debated notion, and a clear engagement with it demands a familiarity with the development theories, as well as willingness to engage explicitly with other research disciplines (Walsham & Thompson, 2010); or partly due to a lack of assessment guidance (Bhatnagar & Singh, 2010)

ICT AND EMPOWERMENT TO PARTICIPATE: A CAPABILITY APPROACH

Under which conditions can ICT4D initiatives empower poor communities of developing countries? In thispaper we evaluate the promise of development associated with the introduction of an ICT initiative in Nigeria.We employ the basic concepts of the Sen’s capability approach to understand how the introduction of prepaidelectricity billing system has empowered people to participate in accessing electricity supply. Our analysisillustrates that various activities resulting from the introduction of the system allow for the participation of bothconsumers and electricity workers, and in order for them to be empowered to participate in each of the activities,different resources are required. We conclude with some implications for policy makers advancing an agendafor ‘ICTs for Development’

Emergency Online Teaching and Learning in a Nigerian Private University: An Activity Theory Perspective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges of emergency online teaching and learning adopted in a Nigerian private university due to the suspension of face-to- face learning, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Activity theory was used to examine the elements that make up the activity, that is, the virtual learning environment, as well as their associated relationships in order to reveal existing and potential tensions within the activity. Data used for the analysis of this case study was obtained by observation of the online class sessions, student responses to an online survey, emails (requesting support) received by the instructional technology support team, and interviews with participants of the activity system. The findings show that majority of the challenges and contradictions observed were a result of a hurried decision to migrate to online learning in order to complete the academic semester. This brought about several issues with regards to the tools, rules, and roles within the activity system. The most significant contradiction observed was as a result of the influence of an external activity on the studied activity system. The study provides insights to policymakers in the education sector on the current barriers to online learning, especially in the Nigerian context

The Contribution of ICTs to Women Empowerment: A Capability Perspective

This paper examines the developmental impact of ICTs on African society by concentrating on the use of WhatsApp; a mobile social media platform. Specifically, we investigate the promise of empowerment associated with the use of WhatsApp by Women in the remote city of Kano, Nigeria. We employed the five instrumental freedoms of the capability approach to evaluate how WhatsApp has empowered women by concentrating on the opportunities provided for expanding their freedoms to participate in social, economic and political activities. Our analysis shows that WhatsApp can contribute to the empowerment of women by enabling their freedoms to participate in developmental activities, however some contextual factors impede the ability of the women to take full advantage of these developmental opportunities WhatsApp offers. The paper concludes with some implications for policy makers advancing an agenda for “ICTs for Development”

Social networking for membership engagement in nonprofit organisations: a trade union study

Similar to the majority of public authorities internationally, many non-profit organisations are considering using Web 2.0tools to establish online interactions with their members. However, such organisations encounter practical difficulties withassessing the impact of Web 2.0 tools and aligning them with the expectations of their audience. The limited availability ofrelevant empirical work provides the motivation to reflect on the findings of a research survey conducted with the membersof a Greek trade union organisation. Guided by the survey results, union officials are able to better consider an onlineengagement strategy. For example, contrasting preliminary expectations, most union members did anticipate benefits fromthe union’s presence on Facebook and appeared willing not to draw fixed boundaries between their personal and workinglife. The study illustrates how research and continuous monitoring can contribute to realising the value of networkingtechnologies within the naturally complicated socio-political environment of such organisations

Determinants of learning management systems adoption in Nigeria: A hybrid SEM and artificial neural network approach

Research has shown that technology, when used prudently, has the potential to improve instruction and learning both in and out of the classroom. Only a handful of African tertiary institutions have fully deployed learning management systems (LMS) and the literature is devoid of research examining the factors that foster the adoption of LMS. To fill this void, the present research investigates the factors contributing to students’ acceptance of LMS. Survey data were obtained from registered students in four Nigerian universities (n = 1116); the responses were analyzed using artificial neural network (ANN) and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results show that social influence, facilitating conditions, system quality, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness are important predictors for students’ behavioral intention to use LMS. Students’ behavioral intention to use LMS also functions as a predictor for actual usage of LMS. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.No sponso

Problematic internet use and health outcomes: does trait self-control matter?

Problematic internet use is prevalent among university students, and it has been associated with increased adverse health outcomes. The results of existing research are mixed regarding the effects of problematic internet use on health outcomes. To resolve this ambiguity, we drew upon the self-control theory and person-situation interaction model to propose trait self-control as a moderator in the relationship between problematic internet use and adverse health outcomes. The study participants comprised 273 students from both public and private universities in Nigeria. Results reveal that problematic internet use is a significant predictor of adverse health outcomes. However, we find no evidence to support our postulated Hypothesis that trait self control moderates the effects of problematic internet use on adverse health outcomes. Implications, limitations, and potential for future research are highlighted

A computational approach to learning programming using visual programming in a developing country university

The paper outlines how computer science students in developing countries can acquire computational skills using visual game programming environments aimed at motivating them to learning programming. The study shows how visual game programming using Alice supports various concepts of computational thinking and also how these concepts enhance the learning of introductory computer programming. We based our analysis on 15 first-year computer science students of the American University of Nigeria who used Alice in their introduction to computer science course. The results of the study show that Alice motivates students to learn programming and also enhances the successful use of computational thinking skills such as problem solving, debugging, simulation, algorithm building, and collaboration. The study concludes with some implications for theory and practice