How do technologists do “ICT for development”? A contextualised perspective on ICT4D in South Africa

Abstract

We take a layered approach to contextualise Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) to understand digital technologists’ motivations to implement technologies to address socio-economic issues based on their capabilities and kinship affiliations. We adopt an interpretive approach to conducting an inductive qualitative study of digital technologists based in South Africa. We propose three mechanisms (emotional connectedness, user-centred technologies, and symbiotic relations) through which digital technologists undertake ICT4D to exercise their agency and enhance the socio-economic well-being of disadvantaged members of society. Taking the kinship perspective and capability approach as underlying motivations for undertaking ICT4D projects allows us to contribute to the ICT4D literature.