Can leveraging smartphones attain sustainable livelihood? Investigation among urban poor resettled women during COVID-19 pandemic in India

S. Suganya () and C. Velayutham
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S. Suganya: Anna University
C. Velayutham: Anna University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2024, vol. 26, issue 11, No 96, 29539-29556

Abstract: Abstract In the past two decades, slum evictions in Indian urban cities have been justified by the need for development, leading to the resettlement of slum residents in outlying areas far from their original homes. While some existing articles have focused solely on the challenges faced in resettlement sites, many have proposed solutions that rely on governing bodies. However, resettled individuals, especially women, continue to face vulnerability in their livelihoods. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation for resettled women. Information and communication technologies have been identified as potential tools to address the challenges faced by the urban poor. This study aims to identify feasible and accessible solutions to enhance livelihoods by examining the patterns and purposes of smartphone usage among urban poor resettled women and explore the potential of leveraging smartphones for sustainable livelihoods, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the study investigates their acceptance level of smartphone technology using the technology acceptance model (TAM). The study focuses on urban poor resettled women residing in Perumbakkam, one of the largest resettlement sites in India, situated in Chennai. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used, with a digital questionnaire distributed via WhatsApp for quantitative data collection, and qualitative interviews conducted over phone calls to comply with COVID-19 safety measures. The findings highlight the growing empowerment of women from resettled communities. Smartphone usage among urban poor resettled women is influenced by individual circumstances and preferences, with younger women utilizing smartphones more pervasively than older counterparts. The pandemic has increased their reliance on smartphones and prompted them to access health and educational apps they previously did not use. The study emphasizes the significant implications of improving smartphone access for women in urban resettled communities, as it can contribute to sustainable livelihood development.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Livelihood enhancement; Resettled communities; Smartphone technology; Sustainable development; Urban poor women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04451-y

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