An Ethics Framework for an ICT4D Initiative in Rural Communities
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by South East Academic Libraries System (SEALS) A FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ICT4D INITIATIVES IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA BY GCOTYELWA PHINGILILI A FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ICT4D INITIATIVES IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA By Gcotyelwa Phingilili Dissertation Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Commerce In Information Systems In the Faculty of Management and Commerce Of the University of Fort Hare Supervisor: Ms N. Wayi Abstract South Africa’s rural communities have received Information and Communication Technologies services through initiatives such as tele-centres, living labs, Thusong service centres and donations of computer applications. There is need, with little plans in place to ensure that the rural communities will benefit from those initiatives. As a result of this, it is necessary to establish a framework for implementing Information and Communication Technologies for development initiatives in order to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives in rural communities. Literature shows that in order to successfully implement an ICT initiative for rural communities, there should be active engagement with ICT stakeholders, consultation of Information and Communication Technologies policies, presence of ICT infrastructure, ICT services, monitoring, evaluating, training and maintenance. Current literature on ICT developments shows that in order to successfully implement an ICT initiative for rural communities, there should be active engagement with ICT stakeholders, consultation of ICT policies, and presence of ICT infrastructure, ICT services, monitoring, evaluating, training and maintenance. Unstructured interviews were used as a research method to collect primary data that was used as a basis to develop the proposed framework. Findings from the studies carried out indicated that several ICT4D initiatives which were abandoned due to challenges such lack of proper resources, trainings, lack of local content, access, lack of ownership and lack of stakeholders’ involvement. This study presents a framework for implementing ICT for development initiatives in rural communities which has been developed in order to reduce the number of initiatives that are abandoned or which end up not serving their intended purpose in rural communities of South Africa. Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies, ICT4D, development, rural community, implementation, ICT initiatives i Publications related to the work reported in this dissertation Phingilili, G and Wayi, N. 2013. A framework for implementation of ICT4D initiatives in South Africa, ICEE-ICIT 2013 Conference, 08-12 December, CPUT, Cape Town, South Africa ii Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Miss N. Wayi, for her continued support, advice, guidance, support and encouragement throughout this study and for ensuring the completion and submission of this dissertation. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Govern Mbeki Research Development Centre (GMRDC) from the University of Fort Hare for providing me with financial support. I also want to thank Lauren Wainwright for contributing her valued time in providing her language editing and proofreading skills. I am thankful to the ICT4D initiatives that took part in this study, as they have added to the achievement of its objectives. I am grateful to my friends and colleagues who always tried to show me the light which sometimes looked so dim at the end of the tunnel, by encouraging me with all the words that made me push this far. Lastly, I would like to thank my husband, Bonga Gwiliza, and our daughter, Kazimla Gwiliza, for being supportive to me in times when I had to be an absent mother/wife. You are all winners in my book. iii Declaration I, Gcotyelwa Phingilili hereby declare that: The work in this dissertation is my own work. All sources used have been recorded and recognised. This dissertation has not been previously submitted in full or partial fulfilment of the requirements for an equivalent qualification at any other recognised educational institution. _______________________________________________ Gcotyelwa Phingilili iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... i Publications related to the work reported in this dissertation ....................................................................... ii Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... v 1.0. Background ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Research question: .................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3.1 Sub-Questions: ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4. Significance of the study ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.5. Theoretical Background ......................................................................................................................... 5 a) Modernisation Theory ............................................................................................................................... 5 b) Rational choice theory .............................................................................................................................. 5 c) Actor Network theory ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.6. Research Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.1 Research Philosophy ............................................................................................................................ 7 1.6.2 Research Approach .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.6.3 Research Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 8 1.6.4 Data Collection .................................................................................................................................... 9 1.6.5 Data analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.6.6 Framework validation ........................................................................................................................ 10 1.6.7 Delimitation of the study ................................................................................................................... 10 1.7. Ethical considerations .......................................................................................................................... 11 1.8. Outline of proposed chapters ............................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 2: SIGNIFICANCE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS IMPROVED LIVING STANDARDS............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.0. Background .......................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1. Defining rural community .................................................................................................................... 14 2.2. Challenges hindering rural development towards improved living standards in South Africa ............ 14 2.2.1 Education challenges in rural communities ............................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Economic challenges in rural communities ............................................................................... 15 2.2.3 ICTs Infrastructure challenges in rural communities ................................................................. 16 v 2.2.4 Health challenges in rural communities ..................................................................................... 16 2.2.5 Agriculture challenges in rural communities ............................................................................. 16 2.3. Development defined ........................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.1 Theories of Development ........................................................................................................... 18 2.3.2 Drivers of Development ............................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Measuring Development ...........................................................................................................