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International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

ICT4D 2019: Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D pp 83–94Cite as

Unpacking Empowerment in ICT4D Research

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Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 552))

Abstract

Information and communication technology is said to provide paths to empowerment, yet the current ICT4D literature weakly conceptualises how this occurs. This article questions the conceptual alignment between the empowerment concept and the actual empowerment outcome attained through technology. We use Alsop and Heinsohn’s measuring empowerment framework and Zimmerman’s individual empowerment framework to analyse the missing links between empowerment and technology within current ICT4D research. We argue that research on empowerment in ICT4D needs to (1) be more specific about what type of empowerment takes place; (2) take into account both agency level changes and socio-institutional structures, (3) consider the dual effect of both empowerment and disempowerment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK

    Priyanka Pandey & Yingqin Zheng

Authors
  1. Priyanka Pandey
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  2. Yingqin Zheng
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Correspondence to Priyanka Pandey .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Petter Nielsen

  2. University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Honest Christopher Kimaro

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Pandey, P., Zheng, Y. (2019). Unpacking Empowerment in ICT4D Research. In: Nielsen, P., Kimaro, H. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D. ICT4D 2019. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 552. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19114-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19115-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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