Digital platforms in supporting ICTD research collaboration: A case study from South Africa

Abstract

Given the resource constraints many researchers in developing countries face, digital platforms are an important resource in supporting intra and inter-university as well as international research collaborations. The design of digital platforms for supporting research collaboration in the field of Information and Communication Technology and Development (ICTD) pose a complex problem since the target group is diverse and dynamic. This study reports on an investigation into the use and usefulness of a digital platform for ICTD research collaboration in South Africa. The study uses interpretivism as a philosophy with the theory of deferred action (TDA) as a theoretical lens and a knowledge repository (digital platform) as the IT artefact to be evaluated in terms of use and usefulness. The sequential mixed-method data capturing approach involved the survey method with open-ended questionnaires to capture user's input and Google Analytics to capture actual use. The findings on the users' demographics and access patterns provide insight into the diverse user group and some counterintuitive insights on the origin of many of the users. The research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing evidence-based insights on the use and usefulness of a digital platform for research collaboration in the field of ICTD. The application of TDA to theorize the findings provides a unique theoretical contribution as well as some practical recommendations on improving the usefulness of knowledge repositories for collaborating and sharing research knowledge.