Abstract
Identifying the specific contribution of the use of
ICTs to specific development goals has proven to be extremely
difficult. This paper argues that instead of trying to make ICTs
fit with a linear conceptualisation of impacts and an often
economistic view of development, ICT4D should be used as a
prime example of a development process which has to be
analysed in a systemic and holistic way. Amartya Sen’s
capability approach offers a way of thinking about development
not as economic growth, but as individual freedom. The Choice
Framework is presented as a way of operationalising this
approach and visualising the elements of a systemic
conceptualisation of the development process. An individual
case study, related to telecentres in rural Chile, is used to
demonstrate the way the Choice Framework can be applied as a
guide to a systemic and holistic analysis.
ICTs to specific development goals has proven to be extremely
difficult. This paper argues that instead of trying to make ICTs
fit with a linear conceptualisation of impacts and an often
economistic view of development, ICT4D should be used as a
prime example of a development process which has to be
analysed in a systemic and holistic way. Amartya Sen’s
capability approach offers a way of thinking about development
not as economic growth, but as individual freedom. The Choice
Framework is presented as a way of operationalising this
approach and visualising the elements of a systemic
conceptualisation of the development process. An individual
case study, related to telecentres in rural Chile, is used to
demonstrate the way the Choice Framework can be applied as a
guide to a systemic and holistic analysis.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Information Technology and Development 2009 in Doha, Qatar |
Publication status | Published - 19 Apr 2009 |
Keywords
- ICT4D
- Amartya Sen
- capabilities approach
- Capability approach
- telecenters
- Chile