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International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

ICT4D 2019: Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D pp 26–38Cite as

Digital Development: Elements of a Critical ICT4D Theory and Praxis

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Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 552))

Abstract

In recent years, critical research literature in ICT4D has grown. It is widely accepted that theory is to inform practice. However, the inverse directionality, practice informs theory, is much less present in ICT4D, including in critical research. In this paper, we discuss ways how ICT4D research and theory may be better informed by practice—in terms of (i) recognizing praxis-oriented research paradigms and integrating their results, (ii) development of foundational theories, (iii) critical analysis of ICT4D emerging policies, and (iv) positioning ICT4D in the wider development debate. This suggests several elements or directions in which critical research has the potential to push current boundaries of ICT4D in terms of content as well as relevance.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIS, International Office, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Anna Bon

  2. Network Institute, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Hans Akkermans

  3. AKMC, Koedijk, The Netherlands

    Hans Akkermans

Authors
  1. Anna Bon
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  2. Hans Akkermans
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Correspondence to Anna Bon or Hans Akkermans .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Petter Nielsen

  2. University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Honest Christopher Kimaro

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Bon, A., Akkermans, H. (2019). Digital Development: Elements of a Critical ICT4D Theory and Praxis. In: Nielsen, P., Kimaro, H. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D. ICT4D 2019. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 552. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19115-3_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19114-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19115-3

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