Knowledge Management for Information and Communications Technologies for Development Programs in South Africa

Abstract

The Living Labs in South Africa (LLiSA) projects in remote rural South African municipalities have exhibited mixed success. Some projects are quite successful in teaching Internet and smart phones use, while others enjoy initial success only to fall into disuse. Knowledge management (KM) for technology, Internet, computer usage, and software tools expertise, requires a transfer of knowledge to local interested individuals. However, KM is typically not an explicitly named aspect of LLiSA projects. Rather, projects cite a need for training and development of skills for maintainability and sustainability but no need for long term KM. This research describes KM characteristics then analyzes information and computer technology for development projects around the world to develop best practices and their KM components. The Siyakhula Living Lab, a LLiSA program, is evaluated for the extent to which KM best practices are applied. Recommendations for KM are developed for planning, training, and project conduct.

Keywords:

• information and communications technology
• knowledge management
• community involvement

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the reviewers, Marlien Herselman, Carolyn Khene, Kirstin Krauss Annette Mills, and Alfredo Terzoli, who all contributed through both interviews about and comments on this work.

Notes on contributor

Sue Conger, Ph.D., is on the faculty of University of Dallas as Director, Information & Technology Management academic program. She publishes extensively, speaks at conferences globally, and is a visiting professor at Rhodes University and University of South Africa, both in South Africa, and a 2014 Erskine Fellow at Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand. Dr. Conger is active in academic and industry associations, is on several editorial boards, and is on program and planning committees for several conferences. Her research interests are IT for developing environments, IT service management, IT-related privacy, emerging technologies, and innovative uses of IT in organizations. She authored The New Software Engineering (1994), Planning & Designing Effective Web Sites (1997), and Process Mapping & Management (2011).