Understanding benefits realisation of iREACH from a capability approach perspective |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Helena?GrunfeldEmail author Sokleap?Hak Tara?Pin |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Level 13/300 Flinders St, Melbourne, 3000, Australia;(2) iREACH Project Cambodia, Pnom Penh, Cambodia |
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Abstract: | The research presented in this paper is the first wave of a longitudinal study of a Cambodian information and communication
for development (ICT4D) project, iREACH, aimed at testing a framework for evaluating whether and how such initiatives can
contribute to capabilities, empowerment and sustainability. The framework is informed by Amartya Sen’s capability approach
(CA), uses a participatory methodology, considers the micro-, meso-, and macro- levels in understanding the role ICT can play
in the development process, and adopts a forward-looking longitudinal perspective. Key findings of this research are that
the project had contributed to livelihoods and other aspects of well-being in diverse ways, primarily in education, health,
and farming. Participants also valued the project because of its contribution to empowerment, particularly gender empowerment.
Another way in which participants valued iREACH was of a more intrinsic nature, manifested in a general appreciation of just
being part of the world and knowing about events in other parts of Cambodia and beyond. These findings are consistent with
the CA’s emphasis on development being about more than economic growth and support the importance of considering external
factors, conceptualised here as the meso- and macro- levels, in the conversion of commodities in the form of services provided
at iREACH, to capabilities. |
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