The impact of the ICT4D project on sustainable rural development using a capability approach: Evidence from Bangladesh

• Published in: Technology in society 2020-05, Vol.61, p.101254, Article 101254
• Main Author: Hoque, Md. Rakibul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ability; Capability approach; Case studies; Communication; Communications technology; Developing countries; Economic development; Freedoms; Human development; ICT4D; Information technology; Internet access; Intervention; LDCs; Policy making; Prior knowledge; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural development; Sen, Amartya; Social change; Socioeconomic factors; Strategies; Sustainable development; Technological change; Union digital centres
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101254

Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) projects have shown a great promises in recent years. However, simply materializing of ICT4D projects is not enough for minimizing the prevalent digital divide in rural areas in developing countries. For the success of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention, it is important to consider the capabilities of users, who are responsible for converting ICT resources into outcome. While most of the ICT-related studies are focused on the adoption of actual technologies and influences of different internal and external factors on intervention outcomes, very few studies are focused on evaluating intervention outcomes and redesigning intervention strategies. In this study, I opted for using a conceptual framework following the Capability Approach that simultaneously identifies the influence factors for intervention outcome as well as evaluates the outcome based on Noble Laureate Amartya Sen’s five freedoms concept. A qualitative technique has been chosen to conduct the study. As part of the impact evaluation of an ICT4D intervention, a project known as Union Digital Centres (UDCs) in Bangladesh was selected. A total of ten themes are identified indicating that the outcome of the intervention is contributing to socio-economic and human development. However, the study has revealed that lack of capabilities of users (e.g. prior knowledge and financial inability) bar the UDC programs to fulfill their goals at highest level. This study would practically help the UDC policy makers to adjust the UDC intervention design by addressing the shortcomings of the users to yield higher UDC program outcome. Additionally, this study theoretically contributes in ICT adoption literature by showing that there is a mutual influence between users’ capabilities and ICT-related project outcomes. Finally, using specific case study (ICT4D project in Bangladesh), this study contextualizes Amartya Sen’s five freedoms concept in the ICT-specific context. •Simply materializing of ICT4D projects is not enough for minimizing the prevalence of digital divide in developing countries.•ICT4D projects have long-term and wide-ranging evaluation plans for the capability building of the users.•The Capability Approach Model is a more comprehensive instrument for measuring the impact of ICT4D intervention.•UDCs are not only providing necessary daily life supports but also identifying and fulfilling new service gaps using