Enabling Social Sustainability of E-Participation through Mobile Technology

Abstract

The social sustainability of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) projects such as e-government in developing nations remains a vexing issue. Particularly pertinent to the concept of e-government is that of electronic participation (e-participation) of citizens in services offered over an e-government platform, yet studies claim that such initiatives exacerbate the social exclusion problem. Globally, and specifically in Africa, the ineffective participation of citizens is marked by waning confidence in service delivery capabilities of political institutions, yet e-government is considered as one of the reform instrument for the attainment of good governance. Governments and pressure groups in many countries are realizing that these trends are problematic and are seeking to broaden and deepen citizen participation in governance, notably through the use of mobile technologies that continues to play a vital role in the trajectory of ICT development in Africa. This study advances the prominent role that mobile technology will play in anchoring e-participation strategies and policies to improve the social sustainability of ICT4D projects geared toward improving governance. The paper presents the results of cluster analysis of a survey aimed at assessing the accessibility, attitudes and the skills necessary for embedding mobile technology as part of an e-participation strategy.

Keywords:

• ICT for development
• e-government
• e-participation
• ICT adoption
• socio-economic development
• South Africa

Notes on contributors

Dr. Nixon Muganda Ochara is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Pretoria, Department of Informatics. He obtained his PhD in Information Systems in 2009 from the Department of Information Systems, University of Cape Town, South Africa. The focus of his PhD thesis was anchored on a nomadic framework for conceptualizing e-government for developing countries. In the last eight years, he has actively engaged in research focusing on e-government in developing countries, with a particular focus on how to address issues related to social exclusion. His research has been published in international conferences and journals. Prior to joining academia, he worked in the IT services industry in various capacities.

Ms. Tendani Mawela is a Lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, Department of Informatics. Her PhD focuses on the conceptualization of Transformational Government with regards to the value and impact of e-Government programmes within African countries. Ms. Mawela's research interests include e-Government, e-Participation, ICT for Development, ICT Governance and IT Project Management.