Citation:
Cibangu S, Hepworth M, Champion D. (2017) Mobile phones for development: an information case study of mobile phone kiosk vendors in the Congo. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 2017, Volume 69, Issue 3, pp. 294-315
Abstract:
Purpose – The paper relays an important line of Mark Hepworth’s work, which engages with
information technologies and development. The paper aims to suggest a subfield of Library and
Information Science (LIS) for development to reclaim the role of information services and
systems for social change in rural areas. The paper looks at the extent of development gained
with the advent of mobile phones.
Design/methodology/approach – Rather than undertaking traditional large-scale, quantitative,
context-independent and survey-type research, the paper employs a capability approach and
semi-structured interviews to ascertain the experiences that mobile phone kiosk vendors in the
rural Congo have of mobile phones.
Findings – It was found that (1) mobile phones should be geared towards the liberation, and not
utilization or commodification of humans and their needs, and (2) mobile phones are not a
catalyst of human basic capabilities.
Practical implications – The paper provides empirical evidence as to how an important group of
mobile phone users could harness development with their mobiles.
Research limitations/implications – Since the method employed is an in-depth qualitative
analysis of mobile phone kiosk vendors, obtained results can be used to enrich or inform mobile
phone experiences in other settings and groups.
Originality/value – Most LIS literature has presented mobile phones along the lines of
information freedom or access, mass subscription, adoption rates, technological and
entrepreneurial innovation, micro-credits, etc. However, this paper places development at the
heart of LIS debates.