The role of digital design and technology in the development of entrepreneurship in Gokwe, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The successful integration of digital design and technology into rural entrepreneurial activities in most developed countries has ushered in an era of digital innovation and rural empowerment. It has also contributed significantly to the development of entrepreneurship in rural areas. By contrast, a great deal still needs to be done to achieve similar results in the rural areas of many developing countries, such as the district of Gokwe in Zimbabwe. Although the quality of the product and services of rural entrepreneurs in Gokwe is generally high, the markets which are available to local entrepreneurs are, in most cases, extremely limited, owing to inadequate technological infrastructure and a lack of financial resources to modernise their business practices. As a result, many rural entrepreneurs who have the potential to run thriving businesses either cease trading or relocate to countries or regions in which prospects for success are better, such as the neighbouring countries of South Africa or Botswana. The research study on which this thesis is based entails an assessment of the role of digital design and technology in the development of entrepreneurship in the rural district of Gokwe in Zimbabwe. The extensive literature review which preceded the conduct of the study included a survey of rural entrepreneurship in regions in which it is thriving as a result of the integration of digital technology into entrepreneurial activities in Africa, Europe, the United States, and China. The findings of the study were evaluated in relation to the Net-Enabled Business Innovation Cycle and People DealContext Opportunity analytical frameworks, in order to develop a suggested strategy for integrating digital design and technology into entrepreneurial activities in Gokwe. The study took the form of a case study, which was guided by the radical humanist paradigm. A mixed methods research design was developed and the qualitative data which was obtained from semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion was analysed by means of thematic analysis. The quantitative data was obtained from the administration of a questionnaire and used to corroborate the findings of the qualitative study. Although it was ascertained that digital design and technology did not play a role in the development of rural entrepreneurship in Gokwe at the time of the conducting of the study, there were definite indications that preparations were being made to integrate digital technology and access to the internet into at least one sector of the rural economy of the district. Possibility of getting funding based on return on investment and probable adoption of technology if resources are made available.It is to be hoped that the findings of this study will provide an adequate basis for enabling the rural entrepreneurs in other sectors, such as agriculture to avail themselves of the significant advances which have accompanied the digital revolution in the rural regions of other countries throughout the world.