Mobile Phone-based Information Systems for Empowerment: Opportunities for Ready-made Garment Industries

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study is to present a Mobile information System (MbIS) framework for Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG), as there is growing concern RMG owners and workers require empowerment using technology. Our study employed a qualitative research methodology based on interviews with RMG owners, workers, non-government organizations (NGOs) and IT experts. The interview data suggested MbIS has the potential to empower RMG owners/workers. MbIS-enabled empowerment suggests access to information, competency, impact; self-determination and meaning are empowerment components for RMG workers. Improved communication, the opportunity to access employee regulations, access to health and safety information, increased confidence with regard to ability and professional development opportunities are potential empowerment outcomes of using MbIS. This is one of the few papers examining MbIS comprehensively for worker empowerment, as most literature approaches the matter from the consumer standpoint, not in an organizational setting. The study contributes by providing practical knowledge to the RMG, government, and development organizationsin empowerment processes, components and empowerment outcomes using MbIS for RMG owners/employees. Other garment-producing developing countries may also gain insight into how to empower RMG workers using MbIS.

KEYWORDS:

• Mobile-based information system
• empowerment
• employee empowerment
• technological empowerment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Taimur Ahad

Dr. Md Taimur Ahad is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science of AIUB. Taimur Ahad received his PhD in Computer Science from Macquarie University, Sydney. He has two masters degrees, one in Computer science and another in Web engineering from Australia. His bachelor degree was in Big Data from Southern Cross university. Taimur is interested in utilizing affordances of computer science for empowering people who are often overlooked, paving the way for a more equitable world, accelerating healthcare progress and increase business agility using digital technology.

Peter Busch

Dr. Peter Busch is a senior lecturer in the Department of Computing at Macquarie University and is also chair for the Faculty of Science and Engineering human research ethics committee. He has BA in German and Geography from the University of Adelaide. A MA in librarianship from Monash University. A Graduate Diploma of Science as well as a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) from the University of Tasmania. His PhD in information systems was undertaken at Macquarie University. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) from the University of Sydney. His research lies in knowledge management and organisational learning. He teaching lies primarily in enterprise systems integration, IT project management, database systems and systems analysis and design. He is also program director for the Master of Information Systems Management within the Department of Computing and was previously overall program leader for the department’s numerous coursework masters programs for a number of years.

Yvette Blount

Before her academic career, Dr. Yvette Blount worked in senior management and consulting roles relating to information systems in the banking and IT sectors. Dr. Blount’s areas of expertise include anywhere working (telework, telecommuting), cyber security governance, e-governance, the sharing economy, artificial intelligence effective utilisation of information and communication technology (ICT) including social media and utilisation of ICT in learning and teaching.  Dr Blount’s research program utilises multidisciplinary approaches to investigate how information systems are utilised to achieve organisational strategies and objectives.  Dr Blount is a member of the Centre for Workforce Futures research centre and the Optus Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub. Dr Blount is the Course Director for the master’s in cyber governance and management in the Macquarie Business School at Macquarie University Australia that includes contemporary topics including Blockchain for Competitive Advantage and Cyber governance, management and Ethics.

Winnie Picoto

Dr. Winnie Picotois Associate Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at ISEG, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, at the University of Lisbon. She holds a BA in industrial engineering and management from the Instituto Superior Técnico, a MIS from ISEG and a PhD in management from the Technical University of Lisbon. She is a member of the Advance Research Center. Her previous work experience includes information systems consulting and participated in two research projects founded by the Brazilian scientific agency. Her current research interests include the use of innovative IS, IT value, big data and emerging technologies. Her work has been published in journals such as European Journal of Information Systems, Journal of the Association of Information Systems, Journal of Business Research, Industrial Management and Data Systems, and Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce.