Kentaro Toyama
ABSTRACT
Amplification theories of information technology argue that technology is primarily a magnifier of existing institutional forces. In this paper, these ideas are synthesized and augmented for an amplification theory of "information and communication technology for development" (ICT4D), the study of electronic technology in international development. Three mechanisms for amplification are identified, arising out of differentials in access, capacity, and motivation, and the ideas are developed using examples from telecenters, television, and mobile phones.
The amplification thesis contradicts theories that imply that technology's impact is additive or transformative in and of itself, e.g., that access to technology levels the playing field of power, or that the Internet, per se, democratizes access to information.
The consequences of an amplifier theory for ICT4D are that (1) technology cannot substitute for missing institutional capacity and human intent; (2) technology tends to amplify existing inequalities; (3) technology projects in global development are most successful when they amplify already successful development efforts or positively inclined intent, rather than seek to fix, provide, or substitute for broken or missing institutional elements.
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Index Terms
- Technology as amplifier in international development
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Reviews
Alexei Botchkarev
Will technology-specifically, information and communication technology (ICT)-make the world a better place__?__ This question is relevant to not only social and technology researchers, but to any curious mind. Toyama approaches this question as it relates to international information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) projects, where the situation is complicated by serious social problems such as poverty. The paper promotes the model of technology as an amplifier, which holds that a given technology may have either positive or negative impacts depending on the underlying human intent (for example, government corruption) and capacity (for example, low rates of education). Technology is just an amplification tool that "cannot substitute for human intent or capacity where it is lacking." Toyama identifies three mechanisms of amplification: differential access (technology is more accessible to the rich), differential capacity (technology will provide more benefits to those with more education and better social skills), and differential motivation (underprivileged populations tend to use the Internet more for entertainment than education). All of these mechanisms contribute to widening the digital gap between the poor and rich. Thus, "technology tends to amplify existing inequalities." The three mechanisms are considered in relation to two types of historical cases of ICT4D projects: telecenters (Internet cafes in rural areas) and television. Toyama's hypotheses are based on general observations and are not supported by deeper qualitative or quantitative assessments. His point-that it would be nice if technology did as much or more for the poor, undereducated, and powerless as it does for the rich, well educated, and mighty-is idealistic or at least arguable. A nonacademic version of the paper is available [1]. Readers who are interested in the impact of technology can find additional information on the subject [2,3]. Online Computing Reviews Service
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