Article,
From technologists to social enterprise developers: Our journey as “ICT for development” practitioners in Southern Africa
Information Technology for Development, 14 (1): 76-89 (March 2008)M3: Article; Accession Number: 29349719; van Rensburg, Johann (Rensie) 1; Email Address: jvrensbu@csir.co.za Veldsman, Alida 1; Email Address: alidav@telkomsa.net Jenkins, Michael 2; Email Address: MJenkins@mistral.co.uk; Affiliation: 1: CSIR Meraka Institute, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa 2: MetaLAB, Sussex Innovation Centre, Sussex University, Brighton, BN1 9SB, UK; Source Info: 2008, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p76; Subject Term: ENTREPRENEURSHIP; Subject Term: INFORMATION & communication technologies; Subject Term: BUSINESS enterprises; Subject Term: TECHNOLOGY; Subject Term: BUSINESS; Subject Term: AFRICA, Southern; Number of Pages: 14p; Illustrations: 2 charts, 6 diagrams; Document Type: Article.
Abstract
It is easy to find in the research literature examples of information and communication technology for development (ICT4Dev) initiatives that have failed. Rather than continue with a focus on technologies, our journey has led us towards the establishment of a network of community-based, ICT-enabled, sustainable micro services enterprises (called Infopreneurs™) where “development through enterprise” is the key. The writers argue that such success requires a more socially responsible approach to business development. We have found that when the service delivery channel is enhanced by a coordinated approach to ownership and channel support, community-based businesses work well. On this journey, the challenge has been to deploy ICT in “production” mode, so that saleable products and services can be quickly delivered to the targeted community. On the basis of such learning, this article sets out a new paradigm for practitioners in this field. Here the term Infopreneurs™ is used to describe an ICT mediated network of “social entrepreneurs” who deliver sustainable and community level e-Business in Southern Africa. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of Information Technology for Development is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. / Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)
Tags
- &
- africa,
- business
- business;
- communication
- enterprises;
- entrepreneurship;
- information
- southern
- technologies;
- technology;
