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Information Technology for Development

Author ORCID Identifier

Richard Heeks: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4551-2208

Bookie Ezeomah: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8743-8755

Gianluca Iazzolino: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4153-1521

Aarti Krishnan: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4603-0497

Rose Pritchard: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6174-3460

Jaco Renken: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0435-1767

Qingna Zhou: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7516-884X

Abstract

Digital transformation is a buzz term in the development sector, but we have heard little or nothing as yet from individual stakeholders. This paper provides an original contribution by presenting results from a survey and workshop held with a range of digital development stakeholders drawn from the government, NGOs, the private sector, international development agencies, and research organisations. Guided by debates and issues within existing literature, the survey asked about stakeholder understandings, views, and future research priorities regarding digital transformation for development (DX4D). It found mainly incremental interpretations of transformation when respondents were asked about DX4D definitions, examples, and challenges. That worldview is clearly out of sync with metamorphic meanings of transformation. Yet, when pushed, stakeholders could differentiate transformative from incremental applications of digital technologies in development, and we found some evidence of pressure to apply the label of transformation to non-transformational initiatives. At the same time, there was clear interest in more DX4D-related evidence and guidance, with a research agenda that includes best-practice guidelines, measurement of impact, and investigation of political economy.

DOI

10.17705/1ITD.032102

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