Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study
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Ohio University / OhioLINK
2005
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ohiou11268192242021-08-03T05:43:25Z Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study Evusa, Juliet E. Mass Communications Information Communication Technology Sio-economics development Kenya <p>While Africa is confronted with the urgency to provide its citizens with the basic requirements of life, the rest of the world is heading towards a ‘globally-networked’ information economy. Many communication scholars believe that without access to information resources and telecommunication services, an understanding of its significance, and the ability to use it for social and economic growth, Africa is facing an unavoidable predicament. This dissertation presents a case study of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecentre as an arena where governmental, non-governmental and other private organizations are collaborating to test the contribution that a Community Telecentre can make towards providing universal access to telephony and other telecommunications and information services to a disadvantaged community. While the theoretical starting point for this dissertation is grounded within communication and development theories, it employs Bijker, Hughes, and Trevor’s (1987) Social Construction of Technology concept of ‘interpretive flexibility.’ This constructivist approach offers the possibility of looking at the technological process and empowerment as a dynamic process where the ICT users are actively involved in its integration within their existing environment. The study reveals that, while a number of factors have acted as barriers to communication access to information technology, the biggest hindrances are the lack of sound telecommunication regulations and clear government policies as well as the absence of an environment conducive to ICT development due to an inadequate telecommunication infrastructure. This dissertation employs the case study as an overall strategy and also draws upon multiple data sources to develop a triangulation of methods ranging from in-depth interviewing, participant observation, historical and document analysis as well as analysis of telecommunication debates in local newspapers over the last 4 years. The study concludes that, although the telecommunication is beginning to show some impact due to the partial privatization of the sector, it is too early to assess the overall impact of new media technologies on Africa’s development. This calls for a more realistic approach that incorporates the need to harness the potential of ICTs for purposes of addressing locally relevant problems in innovative and cost-effective ways.</p> 2005 English text Ohio University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1126819224 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1126819224 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Mass Communications Information Communication Technology Sio-economics development Kenya |
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Mass Communications Information Communication Technology Sio-economics development Kenya Evusa, Juliet E. Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| author |
Evusa, Juliet E. |
| author_facet |
Evusa, Juliet E. |
| author_sort |
Evusa, Juliet E. |
| title |
Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| title_short |
Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| title_full |
Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| title_fullStr |
Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Information Communication Technologies as Tools for Socio-economic and Political Development: The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecenter as a Case Study |
| title_sort |
information communication technologies as tools for socio-economic and political development: the national council of churches of kenya (ncck) huruma community telecenter as a case study |
| publisher |
Ohio University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2005 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1126819224 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT evusajuliete informationcommunicationtechnologiesastoolsforsocioeconomicandpoliticaldevelopmentthenationalcouncilofchurchesofkenyancckhurumacommunitytelecenterasacasestudy |
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