The sustainability of ICT for Development (ICT4D) initiatives remains an enduring concern, and projects typically have a high rate of failure. ICT4D is in flux and the trends are analysed to show how sustainability issues have changed from requirements for external support via governments or funding agencies to self-sufficiency (mainly) based on economic viability. Sustainability is typically defined in terms of financial, social, institutional, technological, and environmental aspects. The major factors influencing the sustainability of ICT4D projects in poor rural areas are summarised via a systems analysis. The questions posed by this analysis may be partially addressed by strategies based upon the concept of human scale development. Two ICT4D initiatives that are concerned with enterprise development are used to illustrate the practical realisation of aspects of such a strategy.
Reference:
Marais, M. 2011. Analysis of the factors affecting the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. 5th IDIA Conference: ICT for development: people, policy and practice, Lima, Peru, 26 - 28 October 2011
Marais, M. A. (2011). Analysis of the factors affecting the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5374
Marais, Mario A. "Analysis of the factors affecting the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives." (2011): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5374
Marais MA, Analysis of the factors affecting the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives; 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5374 .