Using the Capabilities Approach to analyze access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) by the poor

Abstract

This paper applies Amartya Sen’s “capabilities approach” to the access and use of ICTs. An important issue raised by the Capabilities Approach is that while access to a basic good, in this case information and communication technologies (ICTs), is a prerequisite to its usage, individual differences, capabilities and choice also play a role on the use, value and application of these goods. As such, the paper investigates the extent to which people have access to ICTs, the characteristics of people who make use of it, and how and for what ends they are utilized. Based on household surveys conducted in urban and rural barangays in Puerto Princesa City, it attempts to analyze access beyond the traditional method of considering teledensities and number of Internet service providers (ISPs), but instead focuses on key demographic traits in a community and how these influence their capabilities, functioning and freedoms with respect to ICT use. 1 Working