ICT Use and Livelihoods of Women Microenterprises in Malawi

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2108.09807v1
• Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:06:26 GMT
• Title: ICT Use and Livelihoods of Women Microenterprises in Malawi
• Authors: Donald Flywell Malanga and Memory Banda
• Abstract summary: The study was conducted in three rural areas of Karonga district in Malawi. The framework for the study was based on Serrat's sustainable livelihood approach. The study found that ICTs to some extent contributed to the livelihoods of women microenterprises.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
• Abstract: This study aimed to assess the impacts of ICTs on livelihoods of women microenterprises in Malawi. The study was an interpretive qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews, observation and field notes were used to collect data. About 25 women involved in various microenterprises in three rural areas of Karonga district in Malawi were purposively selected to participate in the study. The framework for the study was based on Serrat's sustainable livelihood approach. The study noted that the use of ICTs potentially enabled women microenterprises to build their financial, human, social, and informational capital assets. The study found that ICTs to some extent contributed to the livelihoods of women microenterprises such as improved access to information; diversification of business opportunities, improved communication, improved marketing, and reduced transport costs. As a result, this led to sustainable use of resources, improved well-being, and empowerment for women. However, unreliable electricity; lack of affordable ICT devices; lack of awareness to utilise ICTs in businesses and lack of ICT literacy skills were major concerns that affected women microenterprises. The study offers insights to research practioners, policy makers and other stakeholders on the role of ICTs in fostering women microentrepreneurship in rural communities of Malawi.

Related papers

• Factory Operators' Perspectives on Cognitive Assistants for Knowledge Sharing: Challenges, Risks, and Impact on Work [51.78233291198334]
  This study investigates the real-world impact of deploying Cognitive Assistants (CAs) in factories. Our results indicate that while CAs have the potential to significantly improve efficiency through knowledge sharing, they also introduce concerns around workplace surveillance. Our findings stress the importance of addressing privacy, knowledge contribution burdens, and tensions between factory operators and their managers.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-09-30T11:08:27Z)
• Enhancing ICT Literacy and Sustainable Practices in the Hospitality Industry: Insights from Mnquma Municipality [0.0]
  This study explores the role of ICT literacy and sustainable practices in influencing ICT adoption among small-scale players in the hospitality industry in rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A random sample of 21 small-scale players (BnBs, guest houses, and non-serviced accommodations) was selected. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis H Test to examine differences in ICT usage levels.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-09-17T19:41:34Z)
• A Fairness-Oriented Reinforcement Learning Approach for the Operation and Control of Shared Micromobility Services [46.1428063182192]
  This study investigates the balance between performance optimization and algorithmic fairness in shared micromobility services. Exploiting Q-Learning, the proposed methodology achieves equitable outcomes in terms of the Gini index across different areas. A case study with synthetic data validates our insights and highlights the importance of fairness in urban micromobility.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-03-23T09:32:23Z)
• Exploring the Cognitive Knowledge Structure of Large Language Models: An Educational Diagnostic Assessment Approach [50.125704610228254]
  Large Language Models (LLMs) have not only exhibited exceptional performance across various tasks, but also demonstrated sparks of intelligence. Recent studies have focused on assessing their capabilities on human exams and revealed their impressive competence in different domains. We conduct an evaluation using MoocRadar, a meticulously annotated human test dataset based on Bloom taxonomy.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-10-12T09:55:45Z)
• Information Retrieval Meets Large Language Models: A Strategic Report from Chinese IR Community [180.28262433004113]
  Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in text understanding, generation, and knowledge inference. LLMs and humans form a new technical paradigm that is more powerful for information seeking. To thoroughly discuss the transformative impact of LLMs on IR research, the Chinese IR community conducted a strategic workshop in April 2023.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-07-19T05:23:43Z)
• Trends and Challenges Towards an Effective Data-Driven Decision Making in UK SMEs: Case Studies and Lessons Learnt from the Analysis of 85 SMEs [0.0]
  Data Science can support SMEs to optimise production processes, anticipate customers' needs, predict machinery failures and deliver efficient smart services. integrating data science decisions into an SME requires both skills and IT investments. This paper presents trends and challenges towards an effective data-driven decision making for organisations based on a case study of 85 SMEs.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-24T17:23:32Z)
• Imagining new futures beyond predictive systems in child welfare: A qualitative study with impacted stakeholders [89.6319385008397]
  We conducted a set of seven design workshops with 35 stakeholders who have been impacted by the child welfare system. We found that participants worried current PRMs perpetuate or exacerbate existing problems in child welfare. Participants suggested new ways to use data and data-driven tools to better support impacted communities.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-05-18T13:49:55Z)
• For Better or for Worse? A Framework for Critical Analysis of ICT4D for Women [0.0]
  As ICT diffusion widens, there is a persistent threat of widening the gender-based digital divide. This paper develops a critical research framework for a gender-focused examination of ICT4D studies.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-08-23T05:42:24Z)
• A Survey of Knowledge Tracing: Models, Variants, and Applications [70.69281873057619]
  Knowledge Tracing is one of the fundamental tasks for student behavioral data analysis. We present three types of fundamental KT models with distinct technical routes. We discuss potential directions for future research in this rapidly growing field.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-06T13:05:55Z)
• Female ICT participation in South-Eastern Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: Inhibiting Factors [0.0]
  The study examined the participation of female students of South Eastern Nigerian tertiary institutions in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) The study discussed the attendant gender divide in ICTs participation, reasons for low female participation in ICT, consequences of not bridging the divide and ways of encouraging female participation in ICT.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-03-23T21:26:21Z)
• Determinants of ICT Adoption Among Small Scale Agribusiness Enterprises In Somalia [0.8793721044482612]
  ICT has made significant contributions to agribusiness because it allows enterprises to manage their operations. The literature has indicated ICT adoption among small-scale agribusiness enterprises in Somalia is not fully understood. This study investigates the adoption of ICT among small-scale agribusiness enterprises in Somalia.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-02-24T11:25:15Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.