The impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on rural livelihoods: the case of smallholder farming in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mago, Shamiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Family farms -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe , Information technology -- Management , Technological innovations -- Management , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11433 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007185 , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Family farms -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe , Information technology -- Management , Technological innovations -- Management , Management information systems
- Description: This study seeks to determine the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the fact that benefits of ICT development still need to be known among rural smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. ICTs have been upheld as catalysts for the promotion of rural livelihoods the world over. The question that remains is whether ICTs in Zimbabwe promote livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Although the Government formulated the ICT policy in 2005, the benefits still need to be known among rural smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The challenges faced by smallholder farmers include limited access to ICTs, high costs in ICT services and lack of ICT infrastructural development in the country. The challenges hindered ICT benefits that are expected to accrue to smallholder farmers. This study is significant in the view that most studies on ICT have focused on the general roles of ICT on rural development without giving particular attention to smallholder farming that has a potential of reducing poverty and promoting food security. For a theoretical lens, the Sustainable Livelihood Approach was used with special attention to Chapman et al (2001)’s information wheel. Regarding methodological issues, the study followed a qualitative research methodology guided by a secondary analysis research design. Data were collected from published reports of government, reports from the Ministry of ICT, internet, journals, newspapers and periodicals. The study established that ICTs promote livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the dissemination of vital information for improvement of agricultural productivity. From the research findings, the study proposes four main recommendations. Firstly, strengthening of ICT policy for effective smallholder farmers. Secondly, the government to organise ICT awareness campaigns directed towards rural people especially smallholder farmers. Thirdly, up scaling ICT Infrastructural development .Finally, a large-scale ICTs and livelihoods research must be commissioned in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mago, Shamiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Family farms -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe , Information technology -- Management , Technological innovations -- Management , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11433 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007185 , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Family farms -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Food security -- Zimbabwe , Information technology -- Management , Technological innovations -- Management , Management information systems
- Description: This study seeks to determine the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the fact that benefits of ICT development still need to be known among rural smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. ICTs have been upheld as catalysts for the promotion of rural livelihoods the world over. The question that remains is whether ICTs in Zimbabwe promote livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Although the Government formulated the ICT policy in 2005, the benefits still need to be known among rural smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The challenges faced by smallholder farmers include limited access to ICTs, high costs in ICT services and lack of ICT infrastructural development in the country. The challenges hindered ICT benefits that are expected to accrue to smallholder farmers. This study is significant in the view that most studies on ICT have focused on the general roles of ICT on rural development without giving particular attention to smallholder farming that has a potential of reducing poverty and promoting food security. For a theoretical lens, the Sustainable Livelihood Approach was used with special attention to Chapman et al (2001)’s information wheel. Regarding methodological issues, the study followed a qualitative research methodology guided by a secondary analysis research design. Data were collected from published reports of government, reports from the Ministry of ICT, internet, journals, newspapers and periodicals. The study established that ICTs promote livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the dissemination of vital information for improvement of agricultural productivity. From the research findings, the study proposes four main recommendations. Firstly, strengthening of ICT policy for effective smallholder farmers. Secondly, the government to organise ICT awareness campaigns directed towards rural people especially smallholder farmers. Thirdly, up scaling ICT Infrastructural development .Finally, a large-scale ICTs and livelihoods research must be commissioned in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An analysis of the information and communication technology initiatives needed to enhance business value at Transwerk
- Authors: Chiambiro, Robson
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Management information systems , Technological innovations -- Management , Organizational effectiveness , Value
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/486 , Information technology -- Management , Management information systems , Technological innovations -- Management , Organizational effectiveness , Value
- Description: The study was triggered by a discussion with one of Transwerk’s executive management during an MBA tea break. The discussion was centred on the lack of IT Governance Structure in some organisations that are centrally managed due to geographical location and spreading of branches countrywide. The purpose of this study was to analyse the information and communication technology initiatives that can be implemented at Transwerk by the ICT department to ensure significant value from their information and communication technology investments. This was undertaken by means of a literature and an empirical study. The elements of the information and communication technology initiatives were discussed and the study then analysed the responses in an attempt to determine the initiatives that are currently implemented at Transwerk’s ICT department. The literature study indicated that is it critical for any organisation that needs to be successful should have an integrated ICT Governance Structure. The empirical study found out that the current situation at Transwerk’s ICT department requires attention because their IT Governance Structure does not involve major stakeholders from other business units. Recommendations were made as a result of analysing the literature study and empirical study to ensure the implementation of key initiatives that can add value to the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Chiambiro, Robson
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Information technology -- Management , Management information systems , Technological innovations -- Management , Organizational effectiveness , Value
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/486 , Information technology -- Management , Management information systems , Technological innovations -- Management , Organizational effectiveness , Value
- Description: The study was triggered by a discussion with one of Transwerk’s executive management during an MBA tea break. The discussion was centred on the lack of IT Governance Structure in some organisations that are centrally managed due to geographical location and spreading of branches countrywide. The purpose of this study was to analyse the information and communication technology initiatives that can be implemented at Transwerk by the ICT department to ensure significant value from their information and communication technology investments. This was undertaken by means of a literature and an empirical study. The elements of the information and communication technology initiatives were discussed and the study then analysed the responses in an attempt to determine the initiatives that are currently implemented at Transwerk’s ICT department. The literature study indicated that is it critical for any organisation that needs to be successful should have an integrated ICT Governance Structure. The empirical study found out that the current situation at Transwerk’s ICT department requires attention because their IT Governance Structure does not involve major stakeholders from other business units. Recommendations were made as a result of analysing the literature study and empirical study to ensure the implementation of key initiatives that can add value to the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
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