Browsing by Subject "ICT4D"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Optimizing perspectives: a classic grounded theory of stakeholder perceptions on WSDB influence in Uganda's water sector
    (2022) Chemisto, Musa; Rivett, Ulrike
    This exploratory and interpretive research analytically examines perceived influence of the Water Supply Database (WSDB) initiative on Uganda's water sector development, particularly the rural sector. The WSDB was deployed by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) to manage country wide water source information submitted by District Water Officers (DWO) and regional Technical Support Units (TCUs). The MWE has integrated the WSDB to support sector governance, planning, budgeting, information sharing, setting measures for performance indicators and data based decision making processes for developing new water supply projects. This research is the first in-depth study exploring the WSDB; hence justifying relevance and my enthusiasm. Instead of focusing on numerical concepts, this research qualitatively investigates and theorises from participant perceptions about the WSDB benefits and positioning as the MWE's primary information and communication technology (ICT) initiative. The perceptions are categorised from WSDB design, implementation, benefits and implicit contribution to recognise development influence. Grounded Theory (GT), specifically Glaserian Classic Grounded Theory (CGT) approach was adopted to inform methodology choice, data collection, data analysis and theory development. Data was collected across two field studies from multiple stakeholder participants working in Uganda's water sector over a total period of six months. Participant perceptions expound the developmental significance of WSDB using benefits, optimism and subtle discontents. As a result of CGT methodology, inductive thinking and interpretive philosophical assumption; I discerned that the main participant perspectives entailed MWE effectively leveraging the WSDB to increase citizen's access to water by managing functionality of water sources, tracking sector performance, governance and data based decisions to develop new water sources. This concept emerged from data analysis, coding and categorization processes which cultivated the conceptual core category Optimizing Perspectives from codes, primary sub-core categories and secondary sub-core categories. Four primary sub-core categories and thirteen secondary sub-core categories cultivated discovery of Optimizing Perspectives. Optimizing Perspectives emerged as a substantive theory whose constructs, processes and categories summarily infer that the MWE is continually engaged in optimisation of WSDB to develop the water sector. Other than the theory contribution, two main implications of adopting CGT methodology emerged from this research. First, findings are useful for understanding consequences of adopting CGT for artefact theorisation studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for which the WSDB is an exemplar. Secondly, findings contribute to IS research which advance using CGT to theorise about the contemporary notion of ICT for Development (ICT4D) or Information Systems in Developing Countries (ISDC) studies that examine developmental significance of ICTs such as e-government systems in SSA. A comparative analysis of Optimizing Perspectives with related theories was undertaken to bring new conceptual meaning, understanding and potential theory generalisation. Optimizing Perspectives makes a case for the construction of guidelines to inform social-technical analysis of development oriented ICT artefacts. Finally, possibilities exist for CGT researchers to enhance studies about ICT artefacts and ICT4D or ISDC by adapting the theory Optimizing Perspectives.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The effects of community participation on sustainability in an ICT4D project: A Case of Vrygrond Community Lab in South Africa
    (2018) Ndayishimiye, Evode; Chigona, Wallace
    Background: This study explores an ICT for development project in previously ‘underserved’ community of Vrygrond in Cape Town South Africa. Developing countries have embraced technology as a means to improve the pace of development in their countries. Several projects have been setup that allow communities to access skills training programmes within their communities. However, there is a challenge when considering the sustainability of projects implemented to achieve their developmental goals Purpose: ICT for development initiatives are usually centrally planned without the involvement of the targeted communities. The targeted participants may be involved in the implementation phase only, and this may lead to sustainability failure. This study explores the how community participation affects sustainability of ICT for development projects in the context of South Africa. Research methodology: The methodology in this study is qualitative. Exploratory and descriptive research methods were used to analyse how community participation affects sustainability. This study used the Stakeholder Theory to explore community participation and project sustainability. Data was collected using semi structured interviews, documents, observations and applied thematic analysis. The Vrygrond Community Lab in Cape Town South Africa was used as a case study. Key Findings: Based on the analysed data, a number of key stakeholders were not involved in the project planning but were represented by the Vrygrond Community Trust. It was seen from the data that sustainability is dependent on closely working with existing community groups based within the community twenty-four seven. This research found positive relationship between participation and sustainability. Other findings indicated that there was an element of ‘tokenism’ and despite this the Vrygrond Community Lab seemed sustainable. This was attributed to the continued funding and operational support received from University of Cape Town and Pforzheim University. Finally, the study indicated that it was essential that socioeconomic and sociocultural issues are addressed quickly when they emerge. Value of the study: The study broadly contributes to the existing literature on community participation and sustainability of ICT4D initiatives in South Africa. Secondly study makes recommendations for donors and Universities looking to implement initiatives similar to the Vrygrond Community Lab in addressing socioeconomic challenges by equipping communities with computer skills that would assist them in their daily lives, either in finding work, studying, or running a business.