Integrating Capability Approach and Cognitive Constructivism to Study Technology Acceptance in Developing Countries

摘要

The globalization of the world economy presents opportunities and challenges for developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa as they seek to improve their levels of development. The fact that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are not artifacts also presents some hurdles, as they normally need modifications to fit local contexts. This requires that processes that affect interactions between global, regional, and local levels need to be understood. It appears reasonable to conjecture that understanding the roles or effects of socio-economic and cultural factors (amongst others) would lead to more effective ICT policies for sustainable development at regional and local levels. This would ultimately benefit both developing as well as developed countries, as it would enhance global commerce and human development across the world's least developed countries, which make up some 75% of the world's population, but consume only 16% of world's products. We start our discussions by presenting a brief survey of some related streams of research on development. We present and argument against the suitability of classic theories such as Rostow's Stages-of-Growth. We propose an integration of Sen's Capability Approach and Cognitive Constructivist theories that recognize the dialectics between localism and globalism. In order to capture some realities in developing countries, we present a modified version of the "perceived user resource model" which came from the original Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) literature; we also borrow from research espoused in Information Technology vis-à-vis socio-economic development. The proposed model is validated by analyzing survey data gathered in two Sub-Saharan African countries; although no claim is made as to its generalizability. Some diagnostics and prescriptions for how to effect a sustainable technology adoption and development across the region are then presented.