Exploring the Role of ICTs in Addressing Societal Challenges in Developing Countries: An Affordance Perspective Khet Khet Oo Tha A dissertation in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Information Systems and Technology Management UNSW Business School April 2020 I Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname/Family Name : Oo Tha Given Name/s : Khet Khet Abbreviation for degree as give in the University calendar : PhD Faculty : UNSW Business School School : School of Information Systems and Technology Management Exploring the Role of ICTs in Addressing Societal Challenges in Developing Thesis Title : Countries: An Affordance Perspective Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) This research aims to contribute rich, empirically informed insights into the emerging phenomenon of ‘ICTs and societal challenges’ in the developing country context. Despite the growing body of research on the use of ICTs in addressing societal challenges, our understanding of this phenomenon is limited regarding the active role played by both individuals and the technology itself. This research examines two case studies which offer different ways to advance understanding of the use of ICTs in resolving crucial yet under-researched societal problems in Myanmar that are explored at micro and macro levels of analysis. It uses multiple methods of data collection: documentation, website/social media analysis, interviews, focus groups and participant observation. It applies a ‘technology affordance’ approach as a theoretical lens that provides a relational concept, facilitating different users’ understanding of the available opportunities to use technology. The first study examines the emerging use of social media during a recent flood disaster in Myanmar at the micro (community) level. It focuses on how individuals (e.g., victims, volunteers and government officials) harness the power of social media for disaster response. We identify different affordances of social media and examine how these affordances enable local communities to respond to disaster situations and achieve relevant social outcomes, using the case of the 2015 Myanmar flood. The second study explores how mobile technology can increase financial access and bring socio-economic benefits to the country. We look into the current issues of financial exclusion and examine the potential of mobile money at the macro (ecosystem) level using the case of Wave Money, the first Fintech company to offer financial services in Myanmar. The findings demonstrate that realisation of a technology affordance differs between different user groups due to the various intentions of technology use in specific contexts. However, actualisation of a technology affordance contributes to the ultimate outcome, such as facilitating disaster response and increasing financial inclusion. This research provides an increased understanding of how to harness the power of emerging technologies in contributing to the solutions for a variety of social problems in developing countries from a sociotechnical perspective, enriching the IS research avenue. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. 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Candidate’s Name Signature Date (dd/mm/yy) V Acknowledgements First and foremost, I owe my deepest gratitude to my PhD supervisor Professor Shan-Ling Pan, a respectable and resourceful scholar, who has provided me with invaluable advice and intellectual guidance throughout the thesis years. Thank you Professor Pan for giving me a chance to pursue my research interest and to achieve my lifelong dream. I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Sandeep Mysore Seshadrinath, my co-supervisor for his constant support and insightful comments on reviewing my report and papers for the improvement in every stage of my research work. Thank you Dr. Sandeep to keep me moving forward and accomplishing this journey. A special acknowledgement should also be expressed to Associate Professor Chung-Li Tseng, our postgraduate research coordinator, who has always supported me in the matters of personal and academic development during my candidature. I would extend my thanks to all my professors, academic and administrative staffs, and my fellow students for creating our program friendly and supportive environment that made my study progressive and enjoyable at the school of information system and technology management (SISTM), UNSW Business School. I would like to thank all the interviewees for giving their time and sharing their insights and experiences related to my research. This dissertation would not have been possible without their contributions of local knowledge. I am also grateful to the two external examiners for their constructive comments and crucial remarks on my research that shaped my final dissertation. Last but not least,