A resource management framework for sustainability of rural ICT4D projects in Zimbabwe

Developing countries are embracing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a tool for alleviating poverty. There are, however, still challenges that developing countries face in trying to establish Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Among the major challenges is t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mugoni, Hope
Format: Others
Language:English
Published: University of Fort Hare 2014
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10353/689
Description
Summary:Developing countries are embracing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a tool for alleviating poverty. There are, however, still challenges that developing countries face in trying to establish Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Among the major challenges is the lack of proper resource management which results in poor sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. If these ICT4D initiatives are to be sustainable for the benefit of current and future generations, proper resource management methods are to be developed and applied. This study proposes a resource management framework that can be applied to the management of ICT4D resources with the aim of achieving sustainability. The framework is informed by theory, and validated through enquiry in the field. Qualitative research methodology was used as a research approach for this study where three rural ICT4D initiatives were used as case studies. The case studies were conducted in rural Zimbabwe to investigate how proper resource management can influence the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. It was identified from the study that the lack of proper resource management methods adversely affects the initiatives’ sustainability. The proposed resource management framework will guide ICT4D resource management to enhance the initiatives’ sustainability.