Abstract
Open development concerns the application of digitally-enabled
openness to radically change human capability and governance
contexts (Davies & Edwards, 2012; Smith & Reilly, 2013; Smith, Elder, &
Emdon, 2011). However, what openness means, and how it contributes
to development outcomes is contested (Buskens, 2013; Singh &
Gurumurthy, 2013). Furthermore, the potential of open development to
support positive social transformation has not yet materialized,
particularly for marginalized populations (Bentley & Chib, 2016),
partly because relatively little is known regarding how transformation
is enacted in the field. Likewise, two promising outcomes – the
expansion of human capabilities and accountability – have not been
explored in detail. This research interrogates the influence of
digitally-enabled openness on transformation processes and
outcomes. A purposeful sample of literature was taken to evaluate
outcomes and transformation processes according to our theoretical
framework, which defines seven cross-cutting dimensions essential to incorporate. We argue that these dimensions explain links between
structures, processes and outcomes of open development. These links
are essential to understand in the area of Community Informatics as
they enable researchers and practitioners to support effective use of
openness by and for poor and marginalized communities to pursue
their own objectives.
openness to radically change human capability and governance
contexts (Davies & Edwards, 2012; Smith & Reilly, 2013; Smith, Elder, &
Emdon, 2011). However, what openness means, and how it contributes
to development outcomes is contested (Buskens, 2013; Singh &
Gurumurthy, 2013). Furthermore, the potential of open development to
support positive social transformation has not yet materialized,
particularly for marginalized populations (Bentley & Chib, 2016),
partly because relatively little is known regarding how transformation
is enacted in the field. Likewise, two promising outcomes – the
expansion of human capabilities and accountability – have not been
explored in detail. This research interrogates the influence of
digitally-enabled openness on transformation processes and
outcomes. A purposeful sample of literature was taken to evaluate
outcomes and transformation processes according to our theoretical
framework, which defines seven cross-cutting dimensions essential to incorporate. We argue that these dimensions explain links between
structures, processes and outcomes of open development. These links
are essential to understand in the area of Community Informatics as
they enable researchers and practitioners to support effective use of
openness by and for poor and marginalized communities to pursue
their own objectives.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 98-129 |
| Number of pages | 32 |
| Journal | The journal of community informatics |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Oct 2017 |