Academic Libraries actor-network theory Adaptation models Artificial intelligence Big Data for Development Civic engagement Collaboration Collaboration Communication Technology for Development Communications technology Community Telecenters COVID-19 customer relationship management Datafied pandemic Development as freedom Digital divide Digital immigrants Digital literacy Digital natives Disruptive Innovation e-business E-Commerce e-governance initiative e-governance policy e-government e-government initiatives Economic growth Economic Prosperity EHR Adaption electronic government services Electronic Health Records Electronic Medical Records Electronic telecommunications Emerging-market consumers Encoding Enterprise resource planning Equitable healthcare freedom Gender Development Index Global economy Global market Globalization Gross Domestic Product Health inequity Health equity Healthcare Hospitals Hospitals Human Capabilities Human capital Human development Human development endowment Human Development Index Human Resource Development ICT-enabled service ICT Development Index ICT Maturity ICT programs information-processing devices Information and Communication Technologies information services Information technology Inter-organizational systems International Telecommunications Union Internet chat rooms IT infrastructure IThealth m-development Medical diagnostic imaging mHealth micro-business models Micro-businesses Micro-Entrepreneurs Microcredit banking Microfinance Sector Mobile app mobile application Mobile banking Mobile cellphones Mobile communication mobile e-learning environment mobile libraries Mobile money Mobile payments Mobile phones Mobile signals National Telecommunications and Information Administration operational and financial sustainability Outrage Outrage patient data access patient data recording payment systems Physician Adaptation Qualitative data analysis Qualitative EHR Use Quarantine small business social capital Social determinants of health Social development social environments social media socio-economic development socio-economic inequities socio-economic status socio-technical socioeconomic determinants of health socioeconomic limiters strategic developmental focus Sustainable development Systems engineering technological revolution Telecenter facilities Telecenters wellbeing World Economic Forum

Perspectives on development: why does studying information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) matter?

ABSTRACT: The concept of development has been used by scholars and practitioners to demonstrate changes for the better in the lives of individuals, communities, nations and regions. Historically, the practice of development has been associated with interventions and categorizations that have had the opposite effect in countries and regions deemed to be developing. Current notions of development predicated on respect for individual rights, human freedoms, environmental sustainability, health and well-being and education have been more successful in achieving improvements in the lives of people. Yet, historic notions of development persist and continue to drive failing projects. This editorial explores the historical notions of development that persist to this day and offers a view of contemporary perspectives on development. As a growing set of development interventions and papers in this issue involve Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the question of why Information and Communication Technology for Development matters? is addressed in the light of development perspectives.

Keywords: Human capital, Information and Communication Technologies, socio-economic development, World Economic Forum, social capital, Gender Development Index, Communication Technology for Development