A Framework for Understanding the Link Between ICT and Development:: How Affordances Influence Capabilities
2016 (English)In: Proceedings of SIG GlobDev Ninth Annual Workshop, Dublin, Ireland, December 11, 2016, AIS Electronic Library (AISeL) , 2016, article id 11Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Understanding the role of ICT in development is at the core of the ICT4D field. However, while most agree that ICT do contribute to development, the question of how is still not fully explored. In this research-in-progress, we propose a framework that combines two theoretical lenses, the choice framework (that is based on the capability approach) and affordances, to increase our understanding of ICTs role in the development process. The capability approach considers development as freedoms for people to live the lives they have a reason to value. The affordance theory describes action possibilities allowed by material properties, thereby allowing the examination of how individuals explore material properties of information systems with the objective of enhancing their capabilities. We argue that, by combining the choice framework with affordances we can better explain the role of ICT in the development process, and explain how individuals’ agency and social structures influence their ability to perceive affordances in their interaction with the ICT.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
AIS Electronic Library (AISeL) , 2016. article id 11
Series
GlobDev
Keywords [en]
capability approach, choice framework, affordances, framework, ICT4D
National Category
Information Systems, Social aspects
Research subject
Complex Systems – Microdata Analysis, General Microdata Analysis - others
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-62318ISBN: 978-0-9976176-9-6 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:oru-62318DiVA, id: diva2:1156372
Conference
SIG GlobDev, Dublin, December 11 2016
Note
Article link http://aisel.aisnet.org/globdev2016/11/
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2017-11-132017-11-132020-01-30Bibliographically approved