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The use of e-commerce by rural communities for small business development
Author(s)
Inusa, Daniel Yakmut
Date Issued
2006
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The emphasis on economic development of rural communities, especially
small businesses within it has attracted the attention of most local, regional
and national governments and non governmental agencies alike. As we
move towards technology-oriented global market, community development
now becomes a veritable strategy for ''pushing back the frontier of poverty"
and maintaining socio-economic stability. This research argues that the
deployment and use of appropriate e-commerce technology to facilitate
this strategy is useful, and possibly, more suitable than any other tool or
strategy. The research further examines the opportunities offered by ecommerce
for small business development within the Western Cape. A
framework that describes how e-commerce can support the addressing of
the specific developmental needs of this community was developed. Six
pilot communities involved in the pilot for the Cape Gateway Access
Project initiated by the Centre for e-Innovation (Cel) of the Provincial
Government of the Western Cape were investigated to find out how
appropriate technologies are put to use and how they can be effectively
deployed to promote entrepreneurship in these rural communities.
The findings of this research reveal that the use of e-commerce by rural
communities is a bit complicated. It is found that the availability and use of
appropriate e-commerce technologies extend beyond provision of access,
to provision of support outside technology and multi-stakeholder approach
to addressing the economic situation of rural communities. The findings
provide the basis for the recommendations and conclusions drawn in this
research. However, the few entrepreneurs identified within the
communities are found to be at different stages of e-commerce use. In
general, most of the community members are unconsciously engaged in
some form of e-commerce ranging from 828, 82C and G2C' , though not
as significant as one would have envisaged.
small businesses within it has attracted the attention of most local, regional
and national governments and non governmental agencies alike. As we
move towards technology-oriented global market, community development
now becomes a veritable strategy for ''pushing back the frontier of poverty"
and maintaining socio-economic stability. This research argues that the
deployment and use of appropriate e-commerce technology to facilitate
this strategy is useful, and possibly, more suitable than any other tool or
strategy. The research further examines the opportunities offered by ecommerce
for small business development within the Western Cape. A
framework that describes how e-commerce can support the addressing of
the specific developmental needs of this community was developed. Six
pilot communities involved in the pilot for the Cape Gateway Access
Project initiated by the Centre for e-Innovation (Cel) of the Provincial
Government of the Western Cape were investigated to find out how
appropriate technologies are put to use and how they can be effectively
deployed to promote entrepreneurship in these rural communities.
The findings of this research reveal that the use of e-commerce by rural
communities is a bit complicated. It is found that the availability and use of
appropriate e-commerce technologies extend beyond provision of access,
to provision of support outside technology and multi-stakeholder approach
to addressing the economic situation of rural communities. The findings
provide the basis for the recommendations and conclusions drawn in this
research. However, the few entrepreneurs identified within the
communities are found to be at different stages of e-commerce use. In
general, most of the community members are unconsciously engaged in
some form of e-commerce ranging from 828, 82C and G2C' , though not
as significant as one would have envisaged.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006
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