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Technology and Social Activism: An Empirical Study of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Indian Single-Issue Groups Nikhil Agarwal Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Science and Technology Studies The University of Edinburgh 2017 Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................. 7 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Global ICT Innovations....................................................................................... 12 1.2 Focus of the research......................................................................................... 14 1.3 Motivation for the research ................................................................................ 19 1.4 Choice of research instruments and data collection ..................................... 28 1.5 Contribution and Structure of the Thesis......................................................... 31 Chapter 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................... 35 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 35 2.2 What is Technology? .......................................................................................... 36 2.2.1 What is Social Media? ................................................................................................38 2.3 Social Movements............................................................................................... 43 2.3.1 Single Issue Group Social Movements....................................................................47 2.3.2 Sustaining Social Movements ...................................................................................50 2.3.3 Online and Offline Activism .......................................................................................52 2.3.4 Online Social Activism ................................................................................................54 2.3.5 Role of New Media in the Social Movements .........................................................60 2.4 Social activism in India ....................................................................................... 63 2.4.1 Digital Divide in India ..................................................................................................65 2.4.2 Telecom revolution in India........................................................................................70 2.5.3 ICT and Political Empowerment in India ................................................................71 2.4.4 Social activism in India ...............................................................................................72 Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework ............................................................................... 75 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 75 3.2 Theoretical Framework: Social Shaping of Technology ............................... 80 3.2.1 Domestication of Technology ....................................................................................83 3.2.2 Appropriation of Technology .....................................................................................87 3.2.3 Technology Affordance ..............................................................................................90 3.2.4 Configuration of Technology .....................................................................................94 3.2.5 Social Learning framework of the Social Shaping of Technology .......................96 3.2.6 Innovation .....................................................................................................................98 A. Open and Collaborative Innovation: .........................................................................99 B. Jugaad or Frugal Innovation....................................................................................101 3.2.7 Social Movements as Temporary or Permanent Organisations ...........................105 Chapter 4: Research Methodology ............................................................................. 111 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 111 2 4.1.2 Historic Campaigns and Contemporary Designs ....................................................113 4.2 Research Design............................................................................................... 116 4.2.1 Research Approach ..................................................................................................119 4.2.2 Choice of Methods ....................................................................................................122 4.2.3 Population and Sampling Strategy .........................................................................123 4.2.4 Research Biases .......................................................................................................131 4.2.4 Data Collection Procedures....................................................................................133 4.2.5 Case Study Method ..................................................................................................137 4.2.6 Interviews ...................................................................................................................139 4.2.7 Secondary data .........................................................................................................146 4.2.8 Credibility and Utility .................................................................................................147 4.2.9 Data Sources, Rights of the Participants and the Legal issues .........................148 4.3 Qualitative Data Analysis ................................................................................. 150 4.3.1 Analysis Procedure ...................................................................................................151 4.3.2 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................155 4.4 Strengths and Weakness of the Research Design ...................................... 156 4.4.1 Ethics, confidentiality and informed consent ........................................................161 Chapter 5: Technology Appropriation and Moral Policing: The Case of the Pink Chaddi Campaign................................................................................................................ 165 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 165 5.2 Background of the Pink Chaddi campaign .................................................... 167 5.2.1 Actors and Social Mobilisation in Pink Chaddi Campaign ..............................168 5.3 Vigilantism and Moral Policing in India .......................................................... 170 5.3.1 Sri Ram Sene ............................................................................................................172 5.4 The Pink Chaddi Campaign: Rise and Decline ............................................ 173 5.4.1 The Mangalore Pub Attack and the Valentine Day Incident: the initial stage..173 5.4.2 The Pink Chaddi Campaign at the Maturity Stage ..............................................177 A: Facebook and Social Media ....................................................................................177 B: Hacking and Disturbances .......................................................................................179 C: Online Administration and Responsibilities ...........................................................180 5.4.3 Impact of the Pink Chaddi Campaign ....................................................................183 5.5 Role of Media and Social learning ....................................................................... 184 5.5.1 Technology Appropriation and Affordances ........................................................186 5.5.2 Offline Strategies and Practices .............................................................................189 5.5.3 Social Inhibitions ......................................................................................................190