Implications of ICT for Development on Enhancing Rural Entrepreneur Program (REP) at Telecentres in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper examines rural social entrepreneurship program in rural Malaysia communities. The program seeks to promote and turn rural entrepreneurs into social entrepreneurs by strengthening their economic activities and enhancing social capital. This paper focuses on a component of the rural entrepreneur program (REP), namely the Social Entrepreneur Club (SEC). The club runs the rural entrepreneur program and upholds the program’s objectives. It promotes the socialization of rural communities by engaging them in entrepreneurial activities. The club operates under the Rural Internet Centre (RIC); a telecentre that provides space for rural communities to enhance their ICT knowledge and skills. However, despite the opportunity provided, some of the rural entrepreneurs do not show adequate interest in the program as they prefer being entrepreneurs, but not social entrepreneurs. Thus, the success of the SECs depends on the entrepreneurs’ participation in the program, the geographical locations and the support from the telecentre managers. This paper employs the economic gardening concept and community informatics approach to empirically gather evidence to test the theory on ICT for development; particularly rural development for rural communities. A quantitative method has been used to measure the implications of ICT in this program. Data from the entrepreneurs is obtained through an online survey which has been conducted across the varying regions in Malaysia. The quantitative data is supported by interviews (qualitative method) with telecentre managers. The primary data has been triangulated to analyze the results. The key findings show that the SEC is seen as economic development strategy by creating jobs, as well as increasing income and business opportunities. It also strengthens social networking needed to build social capital within and outside of the rural communities. Hence SEC is also a community connector and can be used as an indicator on the quality of rural communities’ wellbeing.

Assessing Rural Community Empowerment through Community Internet Centre: Using Asset Mapping and Surveys Method

“…A study on communities in Semarang, Central Java province, determined communities is the main actors in community empowerment [16]. Telecentre was used to improve the economic level in Western Cape, South Africa [17] ICT facilities at the telecentre improve the rural community's quality of life [18]. Various activities are provided at community internet centers, such as computer skill classes, English language classes, online business management, cooking class, basic health check, and many appropriate activities.…”

Why do people use telecentres in the age of mobile technologies? Answers from Malawi

“…Inadequate funding is a serious issue that negatively impacts the sustainability of telecentres (Gcora et al, 2015). In Malaysia, Noor (2021), reported that inadequate funding has been a problem for telecentres in Malaysia, which has negatively impacted their capacity to buy essential ICT resources and other resources. Stakeholders have raised the idea of privatization as a solution to the financial difficulties these telecentres confront.…”

“…The facilities further increases access to educational information through the provision of internet services to teachers, parents, recent graduates, and the community at large (Hoq, 2015). Information obtained through telecentres, enhances people's literacy levels, in both traditional and digital environments, as well as improving their ability to make informed decisions and effectively participate in society (Chege et al, 2019; Chikumba, 2011; Furuholt & Sæbø, 2018; Noor et al, 2020). Considering the educational benefits offered by the telecentres, people still patronize the telecentres in this age of mobile technology to acquire information that may enable them to achieve their educational goals.…”

“…In Bangladesh Faroqi (2019), reported that the telecentres were significant in enhancing entrepreneurship by providing information to users through higher-quality internet, equipping the clients with computer and managerial skills. Similarly, in Malaysia, Noor et al (2020) discovered that telecentres were enhancing the livelihoods of the communities. They were supportive in helping the communities access more business opportunities by enabling them to market their products and services through the internet.…”