The Impact of ICT on the Livelihoods of Microenterprises

The Impact of ICT on the Livelihoods of Microenterprises PDF Author: Frank Makoza
Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
ISBN: 9783659151361
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
The life-span of microenterprises in context of developing countries is curtailed by a myriad of challenges, such as limited resources, capacity, support and many others. ICTs are a potential antidote to the problems. However, there are challenges in using ICTs to sort out the challenges. The problems for microenterprises go beyond access to ICT and include social, political and economic factors such as lack of access to credit to start-up, lack of recognition within communities and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The research focused on the case of South Africa and was conducted on an intervention for supporting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises. The study confirms the proposition that ICT has the potential for positive impact on the livelihood of microenterprises. However, use of ICT in microenterprises is not straightforward. Microenterprises face challenges which lead to non-use of ICT, despite owning or having access to ICTs. Chief among the problems is lack of awareness on how to employ ICTs in business activities. The study suggests the need for institutions and organisations to identify the needs for microenterprises in relation to the local context and existing local knowledge.

The Impact of ICT on the Livelihoods of Microenterprises

The Impact of ICT on the Livelihoods of Microenterprises PDF Author: Frank Makoza
Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
ISBN: 9783659151361
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 144

Get Book Here

Book Description
The life-span of microenterprises in context of developing countries is curtailed by a myriad of challenges, such as limited resources, capacity, support and many others. ICTs are a potential antidote to the problems. However, there are challenges in using ICTs to sort out the challenges. The problems for microenterprises go beyond access to ICT and include social, political and economic factors such as lack of access to credit to start-up, lack of recognition within communities and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The research focused on the case of South Africa and was conducted on an intervention for supporting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises. The study confirms the proposition that ICT has the potential for positive impact on the livelihood of microenterprises. However, use of ICT in microenterprises is not straightforward. Microenterprises face challenges which lead to non-use of ICT, despite owning or having access to ICTs. Chief among the problems is lack of awareness on how to employ ICTs in business activities. The study suggests the need for institutions and organisations to identify the needs for microenterprises in relation to the local context and existing local knowledge.

The Impact of ICT Use on Livelihoods of Microenterprises

The Impact of ICT Use on Livelihoods of Microenterprises PDF Author: Frank Makoza
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description


Micro Enterprises and its impact on livelihood

Micro Enterprises and its impact on livelihood PDF Author: V. Soosai
Publisher: MJP Publisher
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
1. Introduction 2. Micro Enterprise Development & National Initiatives 3. Micro Enterprises and SHGs in Poverty Alleviation 4. Livelihood Promotion – Key Concepts and Models 5. Management of Micro Enterprises in the Study Area 6. Impact of Micro Enterprises on Livelihood 7. Micro Enterprises for the Positive Impact on Livelihood Findings and Suggestions

ICT Usage in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises : a South African Perspective of Its Role and Impact on Poverty Reduction

ICT Usage in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises : a South African Perspective of Its Role and Impact on Poverty Reduction PDF Author: Busisiwe Benedicta Mbuyisa
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 584

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Book Description
The role and impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs) towards enabling socio-economic development in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) has received attention from various scholars. South Africa as a lower middle-income developing country has a number of development priorities which include the urgent need to expand the economy and ultimately to eradicate poverty and unemployment. Based on evidence from more advanced economies, expanded access and usage of ICTs in SMMEs is considered an imperative to enable the acceleration of development goals. This study sets out to advance understanding of the role and impact of ICT usage by SMMEs on poverty reduction from a South African perspective. A systematic literature review methodology was applied to analyse previous theoretical and empirical studies conducted on the interplay between ICTs, SMMEs and poverty reduction. Empirical data was gathered from SMMEs through semi structured interviews and observations. A purposively selected case study was also carried out serving to enhance contextual insight into the role of ICTs in an SMME context. The thematic analysis method, Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and Sustainable Livelihood framework (SL) were applied as the data analysis methods. The combination of ANT and the SL framework for expanded analysis has not been applied before by similar studies that examine the interplay between ICT, SMMEs and poverty reduction. The process of triangulation was applied on the empirical findings in order to reduce bias and to construct a conceptual model. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing a conceptual model that frames the role and impact of ICT usage by SMMEs towards improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty. Methodologically it offers an example of how method pluralism can be applied to gain a better understanding of the research phenomena. From a practical perspective, this study addresses real life challenges resulting in the suggestion of practical guidelines to ensure that the use of ICTs by SMMEs results in improvements in their financial and non-financial well-being. The findings of this study indicate that the relationship between ICT usage and poverty reduction is neither simple nor linear. Effective use of ICTs could result in SMMEs leveraging more benefits and thus improving their human capabilities as well as social and economic well-being resulting in poverty reduction.

Strengthening Rural Livelihoods

Strengthening Rural Livelihoods PDF Author: David J. Grimshaw
Publisher: IDRC
ISBN: 1853397229
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description
Enthusiasm amongst international development agencies about harnessing the potential of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for development has generated questionning of the impact and sustainability of such interventions. By presenting the findings of research specifically designed to measure impact on livelihoods, Strengthening Rural Livelihoods offers new evidence for the development benefits of ICTs. The book asks if ICTs enabled farmers to sell beyond local markets and at better prices, and whether there have been social gains in linking geographically disparate households and social networks. The authors have provided significant new insights into how to overcome the challenges of mainstreaming ICTs into rural livelihoods and more effectively measuring its effects. This book will appeal to academics, civil society organizations, practitioners and students who are interested in what works and what doesn't work when applying ICTs to rural livelihoods.

Analysing ICT Applications for Poverty Reduction Via Micro-enterprise Livelihoods Framework

Analysing ICT Applications for Poverty Reduction Via Micro-enterprise Livelihoods Framework PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Designing Social Innovation for Sustainable Livelihoods

Designing Social Innovation for Sustainable Livelihoods PDF Author: Gavin Brett Melles
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811684529
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
This volume discusses how design broadly understood as design of business, policy, product, system, etc. can produce socially responsible innovations with livelihoods consequences. Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) is a robust framework for analysing and measuring social impact for excluded populations and groups. This is illustrated with case studies from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal by discussing how initiatives concerned with design in the broad sense have the potential to create sustainable livelihoods. This volume will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in Sustainable Development and Design.

Information and Communication Technologies for Development

Information and Communication Technologies for Development PDF Author: Julian M. Bass
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030658287
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 235

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Book Description
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 16th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2020, which was supposed to be held in Salford, UK, in June 2020, but was held virtually instead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 18 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 29 submissions. The papers present a wide range of perspectives and disciplines including (but not limited to) public administration, entrepreneurship, business administration, information technology for development, information management systems, organization studies, philosophy, and management. They are organized in the following topical sections: digital platforms and gig economy; education and health; inclusion and participation; and business innovation and data privacy.

ICT4D: Information and Communication Technology for Development

ICT4D: Information and Communication Technology for Development PDF Author: P. T. H. Unwin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521712361
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 412

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Book Description
communities." --Book Jacket.

Farmer groups as ICT Hubs: Findings from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Malawi

Farmer groups as ICT Hubs: Findings from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Malawi PDF Author: Ragasa, Catherine
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 63

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Book Description
Many rural producer groups face poor management practices, low productivity, and weak market linkages. An information and communication technology (ICT)-based intervention bundle was provided to producer groups to transform them into ICT hubs, where members learn about and adopt improved management practices and increase their productivity and incomes. The intervention bundle includes phone messages and videos, promotion of the call center/hotline, and facilitation of radio listening clubs and collective marketing. The study, a cluster-randomized controlled trial, randomly assigned 59 groups into treatment groups and 59 into control groups. After 18 months of interventions, results show positive but small impact on crop sales (USD65 per household) and no impact on productivity. The income effect was mainly from Kasungu and Nkhota-kota, which experienced increased production and sales of rice, soybean, and groundnut and received higher prices due to collective marketing. Farmers in Kasungu and Nkhota-kota improved a few agricultural management practices, while farmers in other districts did not improve their management practices. Results show more farmers accessing phone messaging on agriculture and markets, greater awareness and use of the call center, more listening groups established, and more farmers—especially women—joining these groups. Nevertheless, coverage and uptake remain very low, which are likely reasons for the limited impact.