Abstract
The role of information, communication and knowledge in shaping socio-economic development has become a top concern for African countries. Information technology, however, does not only impose change on industry and market structures, but also changes the political and social structures of a country. Therefore, the development of information technology policies cannot ignore the practices of social agents within society. The user of the information and the information technology cannot be eliminated from the equation. If this is the case, the social agent becomes irrelevant. Current initiatives, however, with regard to the implementation of new information technologies in Africa, are mainly guided by techno-economical aspects, while the target group’s socio-cultural context is hardly taken into account. This result in inappropriate technology, ignorance of the African user and a reinforcement of western elitism. It is the aim of this research to investigate IT policies within developing countries and to suggest a framework for the social constitution of such policies.
Recommended Citation
Oberholzer, M., "The social constitution of Information Technology policies in developing countries" (1999). AMCIS 1999 Proceedings. 352.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis1999/352