Start Date
16-8-2018 12:00 AM
Description
The purpose of this research is to share insights on an action research project aimed at building a virtual reality simulation (VRS) to improve health outcomes of residents in India’s urban slums. The project brings together cross-sector, cross-cultural and cross-industry partners in a social innovation collaboration. Using an interpretive case study approach, the following research questions emerged: (1) What contradictions arise when building a VRS to improve health outcomes of slum residents of India? (2) How are contradictions prevented from moving to conflicts that negatively impact building the VRS? Preliminary findings illuminate contradictions relating to the university’s control structures and the inclusion of the virtual reality component, leading to conflict management approaches proposed. The study has implications to theories often used in technology development research, which typically do not include humanitarian motivations that override profit motivations. Further, research on the roles of creativity and cultural humility in systems development is limited.
Recommended Citation
Mahid, Zonayed; Green, Gina; Koch, Hope; Garner, Shelby; Hitchcock, Julia; and Young, Phil, "mHeath Technology: Collaborating for Good" (2018). AMCIS 2018 Proceedings. 37.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2018/TREOsPDS/Presentations/37
mHeath Technology: Collaborating for Good
The purpose of this research is to share insights on an action research project aimed at building a virtual reality simulation (VRS) to improve health outcomes of residents in India’s urban slums. The project brings together cross-sector, cross-cultural and cross-industry partners in a social innovation collaboration. Using an interpretive case study approach, the following research questions emerged: (1) What contradictions arise when building a VRS to improve health outcomes of slum residents of India? (2) How are contradictions prevented from moving to conflicts that negatively impact building the VRS? Preliminary findings illuminate contradictions relating to the university’s control structures and the inclusion of the virtual reality component, leading to conflict management approaches proposed. The study has implications to theories often used in technology development research, which typically do not include humanitarian motivations that override profit motivations. Further, research on the roles of creativity and cultural humility in systems development is limited.