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2016 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

4. A Pro-poor Bias: Leapfrogging and the Context

verfasst von : Jeffrey James

Erschienen in: The Impact of Mobile Phones on Poverty and Inequality in Developing Countries

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The previous chapter suggested that the mobile phone has spread quite widely at the B of P even in relatively poor developing countries. I argued there that the popularity of this technology had to do partly with its affordability. In this chapter I seek to further explain the popularity of the mobile among those living at the BoP and to discuss how they benefit from it. My contention is that these issues have partly to do with the nature of the technology itself and partly with the context in which it is introduced in relatively backward areas of developing countries. In both cases, I contend that there is evidence of a pro-poor bias in the way benefits accrue to the various income groups.

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Vorheriges Kapitel To What Extent Are the Poor Engaged with Mobile Telephony?

Nächstes Kapitel Micro, Macro and Scaling-Up Effects

For a general discussion of appropriate technology see Stewart (1977).

See James (2009) on the problem of measuring leapfrogging and a suggested new measure.

See James (2009) for relevant data and discussion.

This argument is spelt out in Stewart (1977). In brief, one can think of preferences for product functionality giving way to preferences for say status and style.

According to Birke and Swann (2006, p. 3) ‘especially in markets with direct interaction between consumers, like mobile, telecommunications, it is rather an individual’s social network that determines an adoption decision’.

Though there may arguably be more reluctance on the part of mobile phones owners to part with their goods, as compared to the owners of newspapers.

The extent to which this effect would detract from the user’s welfare, however, is unknown.

See for example RIA (2008) for some early research on the issue.

See James (2013) who also provides a discussion of South Africa’s Community Phone Shops.

For a useful and detailed discussion of financial markets in developing countries see Ray (1998).

It is indeed one of the most successful projects in the entire ICT experience in developing countries.

It should be realized, though, that not all contextual factors favour the poor. For example, with shortages of electricity it is difficult to recharge mobile phone batteries. In a later chapter I discuss some possible solutions to this problem. For some interesting examples in Tanzania and South Africa, see Samuel et al. (2005).

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Titel: A Pro-poor Bias: Leapfrogging and the Context
verfasst von: Jeffrey James
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Buch: The Impact of Mobile Phones on Poverty and Inequality in Developing Countries
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-27366-2

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-27368-6

Copyright-Jahr: 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27368-6_4