PBAF 537C: Information Technology and International Development

Fall 2004 Syllabus

PART ONE: CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS IN 'INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT'

September 29 Introduction

October 4 & 6 Globalization, the Information Revolution and International Development

Wilson, E. J. (2004). The information revolution and developing countries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Introduction and Chapter 1

Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Introduction and Chapter 1

Castells, M. (1999). Information technology, globalization and social development (UNRISD Discussion Paper No. 114). Geneva, Switzerland: UNRISD

Feather, J. (2003). Theoretical perspectives on the information society. In S. Hornby and Z. Clarke (Eds.), Challenge and change in the Information Society, (pp. 3-17). London: Facet.

UNDP. (2001). Human Development Report 2001: Making new technologies work for human development. New York, NY: UNDP. Ch 2

Mansell, R. (2002). Constructing the knowledge base for knowledge-driven development. Journal of Knowledge Management, 6 (4), 317-329

Suggested readings

Conceição, P., Heitor, M. V., Gibson, D. V., & Shariq, S. S. (1998). The emerging importance of knowledge for development: Implications for technology policy and innovation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 58 (3), 181-202.

Saunders, R. J., Warford, J. J., and Wellenius, B. (1994). Telecommunications and economic development (Second Edition). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Introduction and Chapter 1

October 11 & 13 Access as a multidimensional concept: Rethinking the 'Digital Divide'

Oct 11 Discussants: Mike and Alison

Wilson, E. J. (2004). The information revolution and developing countries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapter 6

Mann, C. L. (2003). Information technologies and international development: Conceptual clarity in the search for commonality and diversity. Information Technology and International Development, 1 (2), 67-79

Gillwald, A. (2002). Policy and regulatory challenges of access and affordability. In R. Mansell, R. Samarajiwa, & A. Mahan. (Eds.). Networking knowledge for information societies: Institutions and interventions, (pp. 109-114). London: Delft University Press.

Mansell, R. (2002). From digital divides to digital entitlements in knowledge societies. Current Sociology, 50 (3), 407-426

bridges.org. Access to technology must mean more than just computers and connections: bridges.org's 12 Real Access criteria

Oct. 13 Discussants: Joe and Sally

Heeks, R. (2002). i-Development not e-development. Journal of International Development, 14 (1), 1-11

Heeks, R. (1999). Information and communication technologies, poverty, and development. Development Informatics Working Paper Series, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK, Paper Number 5.

Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapters 2 & 3

Forestier, E., Grace, J, & Kenny, C. (2002). Can information and communication technologies be pro-poor? Telecommunications Policy, 26, 623-646

Suggested readings:

Warshauer, M. (2003). Dissecting the digital divide: A case study in Egypt. The Information Society, 19, 297-304

PART TWO: NATIONAL STRATEGIES IN 'ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT'

October 18 Assessing the eReadiness of Nations

Discussant: Josh

Wilson, E. J. (2004). The information revolution and developing countries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapter 2

Dutta, S., Lanvin, B., and Paua, F. (Eds.) (2003). The global information technology report 2002-2003. New York: Oxford University Press. Chapter 1 and country reports: China and Brazil.

Suggested readings

Sciadas, G. (Ed.) (2003). Monitoring the digital divide.and beyond. Montreal: NRC Press. Executive Summary, Chapters 1, 2 & 7

www.bridges.org/readiness/report.html Web page for comparing e-Readiness assessment tools.

Essay #1 due

October 20 National eStrategies

Discussant: Sharon

Sein, M. K., & Harindranath, G. (2004). Conceptualizing the ICT artifact: Toward understanding the role of ICT in national development. The Information Society, 20, 15-24

Proenza, F. (2003). A public sector support strategy for telecenter development: Emerging lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean. In A. Badshah, S. Khan, & M. Garrido (Eds.), Connected for development: Information kiosks and sustainability (pp. 9-14). New York: United Nations.

Jordan REACH Initiative
REACH 4.0 Report
"Jordan's King puts faith in hi-tech," BBC News, April 4, 2004.

Suggested reading:

Tipson, F. & Frittelli, C. (2003). Global digital opportunities: National strategies of "ICT for development". Markle Foundation report. Skim pp. 1-30, read pp. 31-58.

INTERLUDE: A PRIMER IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

October 25 What's so special about the Internet (and how does it work)?

Zuckerman, E., & McLaughlin, A. (2003) Introduction to Internet architecture and institutions. Cambridge, MA: Online resource of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School.

Hudson, H. (2002) Solving the Connectivity Problem. TechKnowLogia, January-March.

Suggested Reading

Rosenberg, N. (1996). Uncertainty and technological change. In R. Landau, T. Taylor, & G. Wright (Eds.), The mosaic of economic growth, (pp. 334-353). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press

October 27 Discussion: Brazil, Ghana and China

November 1 Wireless: A leapfrog technology?

Best, M. (2003) The Wireless Revolution and Universal Access. In Trends in Telecommunications Reform 2003, (Chapter 7). Geneva, Switzerland: ITU.

Hudson, H. (2002). From Artic Village to Alice Spring: Rural telecom myths and realities. In R. Mansell, R. Samarajiwa, & A. Mahan. (Eds.). Networking knowledge for information societies: Institutions and interventions, (pp. 96-102). London: Delft University Press.

Suggested Reading

James, J. (2002). Low-cost technology in developing countries: Current opportunities and emerging possibilities. Habitat International, 26, 21-31

Andrew, T. N., & Petkov, D. (2003). The need for a systems thinking approach to the planning of rural telecommunication infrastructure. Telecommunications Policy, 27, 75-93

Westerveld, R., & Maitland, C. (2002). Technical aspects of rural telecom. In R. Mansell, R. Samarajiwa, & A. Mahan. (Eds.). Networking knowledge for information societies: Institutions and interventions, (pp. 115-117). London: Delft University Press.

Essay #2 due

PART THREE: LOCAL AND COMMUNITY ICT INITIATIVES

November 3 & 8 Social capital and localized technology applications: Frameworks for analysis and cases for discussion

November 3

Discussants: Mirah & Ming-Chun

Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Ch. 4

Roman, R. & Colle, R. (2003) Content creation for information and communication technology development projects: Integrating normative approaches and community demand. Journal of Information Technology for Development 10 (2), 85-94.

Heeks, R. (2002). Information systems and developing countries: Failure, success, and local improvisations. The Information Society 18, 101-112

November 8

Discussants: Lauren & Danielle

Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapters 5 & 6

World Bank. (2003). Constructing knowledge societies: New challenges for tertiary education, (pp. 23-32). Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Heeks, R. (2003). Most eGovernment-for-Development projects fail: How can risks be reduced? iGovernment Working Paper Series, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK, Paper Number 14.

Suggested Readings

Duncombe, R., & Heeks, R. (2002). Enterprise across the digital divide: Information systems and rural microenterprise in Bostwana. Journal of International Development, 14 (1), 61-74

Cleaver, Harry. (1998). The Zapatista Effect: The Internet and the Rise of an Alternative Political Fabric. Journal of International Affairs, 5(2), 621-640

November 10 Themes and issues in telecenter development

Discussants: Sarah & Jason

Roman, R. & Colle, R. (2002). Themes and issues in telecenter sustainability. Development Informatics Working Paper Series, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK, Paper Number 10.

Best, M., and Maclay, C. (2001). Community Internet access in rural areas: Solving the economic sustainability puzzle. In G. Kirkman, P. K. Cornelius, J. D. Sachs, & K. Schwab (Eds.), The global information technology readiness report 2001-2002, (pp. 76-88). New York: Oxford University Press.
[Electronic Reserve]

Proenza, F. (2001). Telecenter sustainability: Myths and opportunities. Journal of Development Communication, 12 (2), 94-109

Gumucio-Dagrón, A. (2001). Prometheus riding a Cadillac? Telecenters as the promised flame of knowledge. The Journal of Development Communication, 12 (2), 85-93.

Suggested Readings

Tschang, T., Chuladul, M, & Le, T. T. (2002). Scaling-up information services for development: A framework of increasing returns for telecenters. Journal of International Development, 14 (1), 129-141

November 15 Telecenters: Case studies

Discussants: Kate & Wendell

Kumar, R. (in press). eChoupals: A study on the financial sustainability of village Internet centers in rural Madhya Pradesh. Information Technology and International Development

Blattman, C., Jensen, R., & Roman, R. (2003) Assessing the need and potential of community networking for development in India. The Information Society 19 (4), 349-364.

Sanjay, A., and Gupta, V. (2003). Gyandoot: Trying to Improve Government Services for Rural Citizens in India. eTransparency Case Study No. 11., Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, UK.

Suggested Readings

Colle. R., & Roman, R. (2003) Telecenters in South India: A case study. In A. Badshah, S. Khan, & M. Garrido (Eds.), Connected for development: Information kiosks and sustainability (pp.159-164). New York: United Nations.

Kaushik, P. D., & Singh, N. (2004). Information technology and broad-based development: Preliminary lessons from North India. World Development, 32 (4), 591-607

Digital Partners. (2003). Drishtee village information kiosks. In A. Badshah, S. Khan, & M. Garrido (Eds.), Connected for development: Information kiosks and sustainability (pp. 149-157). New York: United Nations.

Manzar, O. (2003). n-Logue: The entrepreneurial information kiosks. In A. Badshah, S. Khan, & M. Garrido (Eds.), Connected for development: Information kiosks and sustainability (pp. 165-170). New York: United Nations.

Colle, R., and Roman, R. (Eds.) (2001). Information technology and telecenters for rural development: Critical perspectives and visions for the future, a especial issue of the Journal of Development Communication, 12 (2).

November 17 Telecenters: Theory and research

Discussants: Gulsim & Heather

Roman, R. (2003) Diffusion of innovations as a theoretical framework for telecenters. Journal of Information Technology and International Development 1(2), 55-68.

Hudson, H. (2001). Telecentre evaluation: Issues and strategies. In C. Latchem & D. Walker (Eds.), Telecentres: Case studies and key issues. Vancouver: The Commonwealth of Learning.

Roman, R. & Blattman, C. (2001). Research for telecenter development: Obstacles and opportunities. Journal of Development Communication, 12 (2), 110-124

Suggested readings

Roman, R., & Colle, R. (2003) Notes on research for telecenter development. In A. Badshah, S. Khan, & M. Garrido (Eds.), Connected for development: Information kiosks and sustainability (pp. 89-96). New York: United Nations.

Rogers, E. M., & Singhal, A. (1996). Diffusion of innovations. In M. B. Salwen & D. W. Stacks (Eds.), An integrated approach to communication theory and research, (pp. 409-420). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Jain, R. (1997). A diffusion model for public information systems in developing countries. Journal of Global Information Management 5 (1), 4-15

King, J. L., Gurbaxani, V., Kraemer, K. L., McFarlan, F. W., Raman, K. S., and Yap, C. S. (1994). Institutional factors in information technology innovation. Information Systems Research 5 (2), 139-169

Montealegre, R. (1999b). A temporal model of institutional interventions for information technology adoption in less-developed countries. Journal of Management Information Systems 16 (1), 207-232

PART FOUR: THINKING GLOBAL: THE ROLE OF MULTINATIONALS AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

November 22 ICT and Social Movements

Guest Speaker: Maria Garrido

Cleaver, H. (1998). The Zapatista Effect: The Internet and the Rise of an Alternative Political Fabric. Journal of International Affairs, v.51, i.2. Spring.

November 24 Global ICT Policy

Discussants: Meng & Rogelio

Wilson, E. J. (2004). The information revolution and developing countries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Ch. 7

Klein, H. (2003). Understanding WSIS: An institutional analysis of the UN World Summit on the Information Society. Report prepared for the Internet & Public Policy Project, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology.

Essay #3 due

PART FIVE: CLASS PRESENTATIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND EVALUATION

November 29 Presentation

Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Health Computerization

December 1 Presentation

Telecenters (Chile)
Kathmandu ICT initiative

December 6 Presentations

E-Government
Martus

December 8 Presentation, Final Thoughts & Course Evaluation

Cambodia

"From trade to telemedicine, from education to environmental protection, we have in our hands, on our desktops and in the skies above, the ability to improve standards of living for millions upon millions of people."

-- Kofi Annan, 2003

Fall 2004 Instructors

Chris Coward
Center for Internet Studies, University of Washington
ccoward@u.washington.edu

Raul Roman
Center for Internet Studies, University of Washington
rroman@u.washington.edu

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