Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis

Karsten Eskelund; Richard Heeks; Brian Nicholson

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis

Karsten Eskelund^*
, Richard Heeks
, Brian Nicholson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to bridge the knowledge gap on how new technology, like online platforms can help people with disabilities (PWD’s) improve their capabilities. The paper presents an interpretive qualitative case study of individuals who were all trained to be online freelancers using digital “gig” work platforms (e.g. Upwork) by “Virtualahan”, a social enterprise based in the Philippines. Data is analyzed through the lens of Bjørn Gigler’s Alternative Evaluation Framework (AEF). Interview and ethnographic data provide the evidence to analyze the achieved functionings for PWD and the barriers and facilitators of the functionings. The findings indicate that online technology facilitated employment has wider implications than an improved financial situation. Employment through online technology increased the informants self-confidence and how they are perceived by their families. This paper contributes to the literature on PWD’s, capabilities and online gig work, and how such work can help to build a community for PWD’s. Practical contributions of the findings for policymakers, consultants etc. are guidelines for helping PWD’s to find online employment, which can contribute to their capabilities.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings
Editors	Petter Nielsen, Honest Christopher Kimaro
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	51-62
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Print)	9783030183998
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5
Publication status	Published - 2019
Event	15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of Duration: 1 May 2019 → 3 May 2019

Publication series

Name	IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
Volume	551
ISSN (Print)	1868-4238

Conference

Conference	15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries
Abbreviated title	ICT4D 2019
Country/Territory	Tanzania, United Republic of
City	Dar es Salaam
Period	1/05/19 → 3/05/19

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

Capabilities approach
ICT4D
Impact sourcing
People with disabilities (PWD)
Society

Research Highlights, Institutes and Platforms

Global Development Institute
Manchester Urban Institute

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

Cite this

Eskelund, K., Heeks, R., & Nicholson, B. (2019). Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis. In P. Nielsen, & H. C. Kimaro (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings (pp. 51-62). (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; Vol. 551). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

Eskelund, Karsten ; Heeks, Richard ; Nicholson, Brian. / Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities : A capability analysis. Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings. editor / Petter Nielsen ; Honest Christopher Kimaro. Springer Nature, 2019. pp. 51-62 (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology).

@inproceedings{de4262713d5a4e84b2bd9c3e7defe813,

title = "Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis",

abstract = "The purpose of this paper is to bridge the knowledge gap on how new technology, like online platforms can help people with disabilities (PWD{\textquoteright}s) improve their capabilities. The paper presents an interpretive qualitative case study of individuals who were all trained to be online freelancers using digital “gig” work platforms (e.g. Upwork) by “Virtualahan”, a social enterprise based in the Philippines. Data is analyzed through the lens of Bj{\o}rn Gigler{\textquoteright}s Alternative Evaluation Framework (AEF). Interview and ethnographic data provide the evidence to analyze the achieved functionings for PWD and the barriers and facilitators of the functionings. The findings indicate that online technology facilitated employment has wider implications than an improved financial situation. Employment through online technology increased the informants self-confidence and how they are perceived by their families. This paper contributes to the literature on PWD{\textquoteright}s, capabilities and online gig work, and how such work can help to build a community for PWD{\textquoteright}s. Practical contributions of the findings for policymakers, consultants etc. are guidelines for helping PWD{\textquoteright}s to find online employment, which can contribute to their capabilities.",

keywords = "Capabilities approach, ICT4D, Impact sourcing, People with disabilities (PWD), Society",

author = "Karsten Eskelund and Richard Heeks and Brian Nicholson",

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doi = "10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1\_5",

language = "English",

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series = "IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology",

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pages = "51--62",

editor = "Petter Nielsen and Kimaro, \{Honest Christopher\}",

booktitle = "Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings",

address = "United States",

note = "15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019 ; Conference date: 01-05-2019 Through 03-05-2019",

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Eskelund, K, Heeks, R & Nicholson, B 2019, Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis. in P Nielsen & HC Kimaro (eds), Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol. 551, Springer Nature, pp. 51-62, 15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of, 1/05/19. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis. / Eskelund, Karsten; Heeks, Richard ; Nicholson, Brian.
Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings. ed. / Petter Nielsen; Honest Christopher Kimaro. Springer Nature, 2019. p. 51-62 (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; Vol. 551).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities

T2 - 15th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

AU - Eskelund, Karsten

AU - Heeks, Richard

AU - Nicholson, Brian

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - The purpose of this paper is to bridge the knowledge gap on how new technology, like online platforms can help people with disabilities (PWD’s) improve their capabilities. The paper presents an interpretive qualitative case study of individuals who were all trained to be online freelancers using digital “gig” work platforms (e.g. Upwork) by “Virtualahan”, a social enterprise based in the Philippines. Data is analyzed through the lens of Bjørn Gigler’s Alternative Evaluation Framework (AEF). Interview and ethnographic data provide the evidence to analyze the achieved functionings for PWD and the barriers and facilitators of the functionings. The findings indicate that online technology facilitated employment has wider implications than an improved financial situation. Employment through online technology increased the informants self-confidence and how they are perceived by their families. This paper contributes to the literature on PWD’s, capabilities and online gig work, and how such work can help to build a community for PWD’s. Practical contributions of the findings for policymakers, consultants etc. are guidelines for helping PWD’s to find online employment, which can contribute to their capabilities.

AB - The purpose of this paper is to bridge the knowledge gap on how new technology, like online platforms can help people with disabilities (PWD’s) improve their capabilities. The paper presents an interpretive qualitative case study of individuals who were all trained to be online freelancers using digital “gig” work platforms (e.g. Upwork) by “Virtualahan”, a social enterprise based in the Philippines. Data is analyzed through the lens of Bjørn Gigler’s Alternative Evaluation Framework (AEF). Interview and ethnographic data provide the evidence to analyze the achieved functionings for PWD and the barriers and facilitators of the functionings. The findings indicate that online technology facilitated employment has wider implications than an improved financial situation. Employment through online technology increased the informants self-confidence and how they are perceived by their families. This paper contributes to the literature on PWD’s, capabilities and online gig work, and how such work can help to build a community for PWD’s. Practical contributions of the findings for policymakers, consultants etc. are guidelines for helping PWD’s to find online employment, which can contribute to their capabilities.

KW - Capabilities approach

KW - ICT4D

KW - Impact sourcing

KW - People with disabilities (PWD)

KW - Society

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

DO - 10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85065311495

SN - 9783030183998

T3 - IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology

SP - 51

EP - 62

BT - Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings

A2 - Nielsen, Petter

A2 - Kimaro, Honest Christopher

PB - Springer Nature

Y2 - 1 May 2019 through 3 May 2019

ER -

Eskelund K, Heeks R , Nicholson B. Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis. In Nielsen P, Kimaro HC, editors, Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings. Springer Nature. 2019. p. 51-62. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology). Epub 2019 Apr 26. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-18400-1_5

Exploring an impact sourcing initiative for a community of people with disabilities: A capability analysis

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Research Highlights, Institutes and Platforms

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this