article

Research on information systems in developing countries: current landscape and future prospects

Authors:

Geoff Walsham,

Sundeep SahayAuthors Info & Claims

Information Technology for Development, Volume 12, Issue 1

Pages 7 - 24

https://doi.org/10.1002/itdj.20020

Published: 01 February 2006 Publication History

Abstract

The current landscape of the information systems research literature concerned with developing countries is surveyed by examining a range of research articles published from 2000 onward. These are discussed in terms of the key challenges addressed, including the role of technology, and the methodological and theoretical approaches used. Prospects for future research are discussed, based on a conceptual view as to how to study information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing countries, to classify existing work, identify gaps, and suggest future opportunities. The authors contribute to the important debate on how ICTs in general, and information systems research in particular, can make a positive difference in the developing countries.

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Research on information systems in developing countries: current landscape and future prospects

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Reviewer: Annemijn Van Gorp

The benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to developing countries are numerous. Just like anywhere else, in developing countries ICTs have been shown to stimulate socioeconomic growth through their positive impact on productivity, education, and social empowerment. Nevertheless, negative impacts exist; many ICT implementation projects have failed, and the digital divide seems persistent. For these reasons, a growing number of scholars have become engaged in researching issues related to information systems in developing countries. In this paper, Walsham and Sahay take stock of the emerging information systems research literature on developing countries. By analyzing journal papers and conference proceedings, the authors classify prior work according to the key challenges reported, the particular types of technologies discussed, and the dominant approaches taken regarding theory and methods. The authors finish their paper by identifying areas for future research that have gained little attention so far. Their call for more research on scalability and sustainability of ICT deployment cannot be stressed enough. The main value of the paper lies in its quick overview of major strands of research within the field. A second major contribution lies in the classification scheme itself, which provides an interesting way to conceptualize the field, and to relate the various strands of research concerning information systems in developing countries. Online Computing Reviews Service

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Information Technology for Development Volume 12, Issue 1

February 2006

84 pages

ISSN:0268-1102

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Published: 01 February 2006

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