Organisational Support for ICT4D Practitioner Performance: A New Pathway for Enhancing ICT4D Project Outcomes

Epiphania Kimaro*, Jaco Renken, Natalie Cunningham, Richard Heeks

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Organisational literature shows that outcomes such as project success are significantly influenced by how organisational practices influence actions and behaviours of organisation actors, but the mechanisms through which this may happen in ICT4D are unknown. This article describes a two-phase research study to understand how the organisational and individual levels of ICT4D context may interact and influence ICT4D project outcomes. The first phase involved a multiple case studies research design and the second action research, conducted in a total of five ICT4D implementing organisations in East Africa. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with a total of 33 participants; 23 in the first phase and 10 in the second. The concept of Organisational Support enabled understanding of how organisational practices influence ICT4D practitioner performance, identifying eight key findings. Namely Mechanisms of Organisational Support for ICT4D Practitioner Performance, these are: (1) Reinforcing Mission-Congruence; (2) Skills Hybridisation; (3) Supervisory Mentorship; (4) Socioemotional Support; (5) Support for Personal Aspirations; (6) Balancing Monetary with Non-monetary Rewards; (7) Involvement in Reward Decisions; and (8) Autonomy Support. Given existing record of poor ICT4D project outcomes and insufficient research on the context of ICT4D implementing organisations, these findings contribute new and practical pathways for enhancing ICT4D project outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationImplications of Information and Digital Technologies for Development
Subtitle of host publication18th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference, ICT4D 2024, Cape Town, South Africa, May 20–22, 2024, Proceedings, Part II
EditorsWallace Chigona, Salah Kabanda, Lisa F. Seymour
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer Cham
Pages341–361
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783031669866
ISBN (Print)9783031669859
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Event18th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference - Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 20 May 202422 May 2024

Publication series

NameIFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
PublisherSpringer
Volume709
ISSN (Print)1868-4238
ISSN (Electronic)1868-422X

Conference

Conference18th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference
Abbreviated titleICT4D 2024
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period20/05/2422/05/24

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