Framing M4D: The Utility of Continuity and the Dual Heritage of "Mobiles and Development"

摘要: The paper suggests that research on the role of mobile telephony for socioeconomic development (M4D) draws two frames. One frame stresses relative freedom telephone users to do whatever they choose. other how technologies and technology-led interventions are embedded in recursive, context specific relationships with user communities. Together these frames support M4D’s “dual heritage”. After detailing current M4D archetypes representing each heritage, introduces a conceptual practical synthesis, is, large-scale platforms distributed, semi-constrained interaction. This considers examples such platforms—MXit, South Africa’s social networking service M-PESA, Kenya’s money transfer system—including both anticipated unanticipated consequences operating “at scale” beyond confines controlled intervention. Finally, this implications dual heritage rise hybrid practice.