SIG GlobDev - Global Development

As scholars in Information Systems are investigating societal impacts of ICTs on people, data and things, research in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT4D) is also becoming increasingly diverse. Current innovative uses of blockchain technologies to track refugees offer new identification mechanisms, healthcare tracking for epidemics and the use of cryptocurrencies to offer payment systems are new ways for people to bring about improvements in their lives. Digital innovations offer financial inclusion, health and wellbeing to those who were previously left out of opportunities to improve their lives from the global economy. The pandemic in recent years has deepened socio-economic inequities leaving those at the front lines most vulnerable to the illness. Mortality rates have been rising in communities where care is limited.

While drawing upon theories that help understand these emerging phenomena, research in ICT4D and IS also requires attention to the contextual challenges facing practitioners in the field. There have been attempts to develop theories that enable these challenges to be understood. An interesting and significant issue is whether ICTs can play a sustaining, value-adding role that enables societies to move beyond the conditions that cause mass discontent to beneficial development for all. Such a role may include supporting social groups in: identifying and defining achievable goals, acquirable resources, and constraints to be acknowledged and if possible overcome; supporting sustainable & secure collaboration, offering health and wellbeing; and financial inclusion.

Track Chairs:
Kweku-Muata Osei-Bryson, Virginia Commonwealth University, kmosei@vcu.edu
Arlene Bailey, University of the West Indies, arlene.bailey@uwimona.edu.jm
Sajda Qureshi, University of Nebraska Omaha, squreshi@unomaha.edu