A holistic understanding of information and communication technology for development through context, resilience, and sustainability: Evidence from a local agriculture extension information service in Ethiopia

Abstract

There exists isolated work that focuses on context, resilience, and sustainability of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). However, research on how the three concepts inform and influence one another to better meet the development goals and priorities is limited. More research is required to enhance our holistic understanding of ICT4D interventions in terms of the approaches applied to investigate context, resilience, and sustainability from socio‐technical perspectives. This research explores the link among the triple concepts to fill the above void, drawing from qualitative data collected from multiple but networked stakeholders at a local agriculture extension information service. Data is processed in a way to understand: the context of the local development practices and stakeholders, the gaps in the design of information systems applied to support local development practices, and how local communities remain resilient in their information exchange practices. Building on the existing knowledge of context, resilience, and sustainability in ICT4D the research shows how the context of the local development practices inform resilience and in turn how resilience enables the continued operation of the local development practices (context), and how context and resilience lead to sustainable ICT4D interventions. The research contributes to theory by showing how the social and technical resources distributed in the social system and the stakeholders' networks can be unlocked to conceptualize the links between the triple concepts. It informs practitioners on how they can develop a holistic understanding of the socio‐technical contexts of local developments and the socio‐technical factors to design resilient ICT4D that will lead to sustainable digital interventions.

A Socially Aware Information System Design Framework for Reformed Government

“…This indicates that government reform objectives mainly focus on the structural change dimensions in terms of decision-making, responsibilities, and resource allocation from the central government, which in turn affects the process of identifying information system opportunities and strategic definitions from the local level. This highlights that the importance of context in designing an information system begins with understanding the phenomenon in terms of the local government practices and stakeholders' interests (Atinaf, Anteneh, & Kifle, 2023). Hoffmann, Bittner, and Leimeister (2013) further recommend that context enhances the understanding of the domain knowledge which increases the mutual understanding among the local users.…”

Perspectives of Peers as a Microsystem for Supporting Deaf Students in Inclusive Elementary Schools

“…Communication, particularly between hearing and hearingimpaired partners, establishes a shared language experience that contributes significantly to vocabulary acquisition (Almashhadani & Almashhadani, 2023). This is particularly crucial as much of a child's vocabulary knowledge is acquired indirectly through daily interactions with adults, siblings, and peers during conversations about routines, games, nursery rhymes, songs, and activity readings (Atinaf et al, 2023).…”