Building theory in ICT4D evaluation: a comprehensive approach to assessing outcome and impact

Hafeni Mthoko and Caroline Khene

Information Technology for Development, 2018, vol. 24, issue 1, 138-164

Abstract: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) act as tools for social change and development; however, there is still limited empirical evidence that demonstrates this. An outcome and impact assessment based on a comprehensive (holistic) evaluation is deemed appropriate at a time when many ICT4D programs fail to effectively demonstrate their impact toward rural development and how that impact came about. The purpose of this research is to identify the components for an outcome and impact assessment framework that is based on a comprehensive approach to evaluation. The authors applied a theoretical approach using Weicks theorizing process to develop the framework. The theoretical approach analyzed existing outcome and impact assessment frameworks from different fields beyond ICT4D. The output of this research proposed five key outcome and impact themes, which are informed by preceding domains of evaluation, essential for the assessment of ICT4D programs. These themes include Strategic Value, Most Significant Change, Empowerment, Livelihoods and Sustainability.

Date: 2018
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/02681102.2017.1315359 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:titdxx:v:24:y:2018:i:1:p:138-164

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/titd20

DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2017.1315359

Access Statistics for this article

Information Technology for Development is currently edited by Sajda Qureshi

More articles in Information Technology for Development from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().