Toward Sustainable ICT-Supported Neighborhood Development—A Maturity Model

Abstract

Scientists promote the fostering of caring communities as a means of sustainably coping with demographic changes. They consider community-based technologies to have a high potential for supporting the establishment of caring communities. However, implementing community-based technologies is a complex endeavor, making sustainable adoption difficult. We have developed a maturity model aimed at standardizing the monitoring and evaluation of neighborhood projects. Based on a maturity model for integrated care, we conducted a Delphi study, to develop a maturity model for information and communication technology (ICT)-supported neighborhood development. In eight case studies, the model was validated and subsequently adapted to the specific needs and requirements of neighborhood projects. These studies emphasized the importance of at least 12 decisive dimensions and showed that the maturity model could be applied at different stages of a project. The current form of the maturity model can be used to help orient, as well as monitor and evaluate, neighborhood development projects. Future work will be necessary to further develop accompanying materials and services and to foster the exchange of best practices and experience between projects.

Lessons Learned: The Multifaceted Field of (Digital) Neighborhood Development

“…Given the great challenges that usually have to be faced in digitally supported neighborhood projects and the many pitfalls one may encounter on this path, guidelines or models, like the developed maturity model by Renyi et al (2020), might facilitate the exchange of best practice and experience between projects. The researchers hope this article will contribute to this exchange and will help the scientific community and practitioners alike to realize digitally supported neighborhood projects.…”

“…These neighborhood offerings can therefore act as multipliers of technology use. Renyi et al (2020) developed a maturity model for information and communication technologysupported neighborhood development based on a Delphi study. They identify 12 dimensions important for a successful implementation of these tools.…”

“This Is the Story of Community Leadership with Political Backing. (PM1)” Critical Junctures in Paralympic Legacy: Framing the London 2012 Disability Inclusion Model for New Global Challenges

“…Because of this, the expert opinion accessed for this study was pivotal in documenting the approaches taken in London 2012, and reaching a collective judgement was felt to be a helpful contribution to the field. Furthermore, the aim of the research was to consider if a model could be developed for use with future programs and the Delphi methodology has been found to be effective for new guideline and model development previously [48,49].…”

“…What is considered consensus must be agreed by the researchers at the start of the study, based on the aims of research [44,46]. Consensus building workshops, after rounds, can be used to develop and refine new models and theory [48,54,55]. Workshops can minimise the common critique (that it does not allow for debate [56]) of the Delphi methodology by holding space for respondents to elaborate on their thoughts.…”

Digital Networking in Home-Based Support of Older Adults in Rural Areas: Requirements for Digital Solutions

“…Studies known to us that have looked at or compared different approaches of social networks on neighborhood level, each cover only a section of the field, such as digital (networking) solutions from the perspective of rural municipalities [20] or the conceptually and empirically validated design parameters of neighborhood social networks [21]. Renyi et al [22] developed a maturity model aimed at standardizing the monitoring and evaluation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)supported neighborhood projects (caring communities), which can be used as a guide and to monitor and evaluate neighborhood development projects. A consistent but broad study about digitalization in rural areas, which also analyzes the roles and motivations of driving actors, was published by Sept [19].…”