Mobile telephony, economy, and social logistics

Author(s):  
Sirpa Tenhunen

This Chapter 4 gives a nuanced picture of the role of mobile phones in economic activities in rural West Bengal. Rather than juxtaposing economic and social uses, it explores them in tandem. How are phones used instrumentally and socially, and how do these different uses mesh and interrelate? The chapter also looks at how phone use influences social relationships, including their use for health care. Furthermore, the chapter assesses how the enhancement of logistical efficiency with the help of phones relates to development as economic growth and increased well-being. It highlights that not all people received equal economic benefits from phones. Phones have been most beneficial for the wealthiest entrepreneurs and large farmers. Those entrepreneurs whose markets extend outside the village have benefitted more than those who mainly market their products and services in the village.

Author(s):  
Sirpa Tenhunen

Chapter 3 describes and analyzes the incremental process through which mobile phones became ubiquitous in a village in rural West Bengal, India. It also introduces the village as the main setting of the research and describes the changing patterns of connections and interaction among the villagers, as well as between the village and the outside world. Mobile telephony invigorated and built on these connections that influence the forms of socialities in the village. Mobile phones were neither the first nor the only media in the village: radios and televisions preceded mobile telephony, and by 2012 some villagers had acquired landline phones and computers. This chapter compares the appropriation of mobile phones to how other media—landline phones, radios, televisions, and computers—were adopted. Mobile phones were affordable and could be easily integrated into preexisting communication practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund

Abstract. Establishing new social relationships is important for mastering developmental transitions in young adulthood. In a 2-year longitudinal study with four measurement occasions (T1: n = 245, T2: n = 96, T3: n = 103, T4: n = 85), we investigated the role of social motives in college students’ mastery of the transition of moving out of the parental home, using loneliness as an indicator of poor adjustment to the transition. Students with strong social approach motivation reported stable and low levels of loneliness. In contrast, students with strong social avoidance motivation reported high levels of loneliness. However, this effect dissipated relatively quickly as most of the young adults adapted to the transition over a period of several weeks. The present study also provides evidence for an interaction between social approach and social avoidance motives: Social approach motives buffered the negative effect on social well-being of social avoidance motives. These results illustrate the importance of social approach and social avoidance motives and their interplay during developmental transitions.


2019 ◽  
pp. 353-370
Author(s):  
Juliet W. Macharia

The growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has empowered communities in diverse ways. Both males and females use ICTs to transact businesses and carry on relationships. Access and use of mobile phones have changed people's lives. This chapter discusses the magical revolution of mobile telephony in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Innovations such as MPESA have transformed people's lives in Kenya and in other emerging economies. Both males and females have used the innovations to bring about development that has enriched their lives. Secondly, the role of gender socialization is discussed in relation to how the ICTs have eliminated the long-held belief that females are not participants in societal development. Thirdly, the role of the media in development is examined because they socialize people into the gender roles. Through mobile telephones, females perform diverse roles. Positive portrayal of men and women in development acknowledges that men and women must be active members of the process.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1185-1202
Author(s):  
Juliet W. Macharia

The growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has empowered communities in diverse ways. Both males and females use ICTs to transact businesses and carry on relationships. Access and use of mobile phones have changed people's lives. This chapter discusses the magical revolution of mobile telephony in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Innovations such as MPESA have transformed people's lives in Kenya and in other emerging economies. Both males and females have used the innovations to bring about development that has enriched their lives. Secondly, the role of gender socialization is discussed in relation to how the ICTs have eliminated the long-held belief that females are not participants in societal development. Thirdly, the role of the media in development is examined because they socialize people into the gender roles. Through mobile telephones, females perform diverse roles. Positive portrayal of men and women in development acknowledges that men and women must be active members of the process.


Author(s):  
Juliet W. Macharia

The growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has empowered communities in diverse ways. Both males and females use ICTs to transact businesses and carry on relationships. Access and use of mobile phones have changed people's lives. This chapter discusses the magical revolution of mobile telephony in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Innovations such as MPESA have transformed people's lives in Kenya and in other emerging economies. Both males and females have used the innovations to bring about development that has enriched their lives. Secondly, the role of gender socialization is discussed in relation to how the ICTs have eliminated the long-held belief that females are not participants in societal development. Thirdly, the role of the media in development is examined because they socialize people into the gender roles. Through mobile telephones, females perform diverse roles. Positive portrayal of men and women in development acknowledges that men and women must be active members of the process.


Author(s):  
Ran Neuman ◽  
P.C. Deans

This chapter discusses the impact of mobile and wireless technologies on developing countries. The new technological advances and capabilities allow developing countries the opportunity to “leapfrog” years of wired technology and infrastructure development. Based on this study, it appears that mobile and wireless technologies will not be enough to truly advance developing countries. In order to truly “leapfrog” and make up for years of technological advancements, developing countries must consider dealing with government corruption, violation of human rights and extremely low literacy rates. All those factors will derail the effort to “leapfrog” and gain economic benefits from technological advancements. The Village Cell Phone Program is an example where mobile technology created a business opportunity while at the same time changing the role of women in society. Any implementation of mobile and wireless technology must be complemented with social and political reform in order to be successful.


Author(s):  
F. De Luca ◽  
J. Argente ◽  
L. Cavallo ◽  
E. Crowne ◽  
H.A. Delemarre-Van de Waal ◽  
...  

AbstractConstitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is the most common presenting form of short stature, but no single test can infallibly discriminate CDGP and isolated hypogonado- trophic hypogonadism. Management of puberty in CDGP aims to optimise not only growth - maintaining body proportions and improving peak bone mass without impairing growth potential - but also well-being; for example, the distress boys often suffer because of their lack of growth and pubertal progression can affect their school performance and social relationships. Typical sex steroid treatments to induce puberty in boys with CDGP include testosterone (T) enanthate, T undecanoate, mixed T esters, T transdermal patches, and oxandrolone p.o. Compared with other regimens, short-course low-dose depot T i.m. is an effective, practical, safe, well tolerated, and inexpensive regimen. Some unresolved problems in management include optimal timing and dose of sex steroid treatment, the role of GH in CDGP, and the management of CDGP in girls.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
NING MALIHAH ◽  
SITI ACHIRIA

This study aims to see how the role of the creative economy in an effort to empower the bamboo handicraft industry in the village of Tulungagung. Businesses that have been running so far have major problems related to capital and marketing. So that there needs to be empowerment that contains training to overcome the problem. Lack of capital can be overcome by providing training and the formation of bamboo woven / cooperative BMTs for artisans. Meanwhile, marketing problems, which in this case also involve the creation of goods made/output. So there is a need for training in innovation to increase the value of bamboo crafts. The results of this study, namely the creative economy in Tulungagung Village has been going well. The existence of a creative economy, as a form of creative and innovative ideas for the community and its economic benefits.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birthe Macdonald ◽  
Gizem Hülür

Abstract Background and Objectives The current COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures are an extreme stressor that might result in negative emotional experiences and feelings of loneliness. However, it is possible that social relationships might have a protective effect. In the present study, we examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected older adults’ well-being and loneliness, and the role of structural and functional characteristics of social relationships. Research Design and Methods We use data from 99 older adults in Switzerland who participated (a) in a three-week micro-longitudinal study on social relationships and well-being in 2019 and (b) in a weekly online survey during four weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. Results Our findings show that the global pandemic had substantial adverse effects on older adults’ emotional well-being and loneliness. In addition, aspects of social relationships were related to loneliness both before and during the pandemic. Only one functional feature of social relationships (satisfaction with communication during the pandemic) buffered adverse effects of the major stressful event. Discussion and Implications Although the social distancing measures during COVID-19 presented a major stressor for older adults’ well-being and loneliness, being able to maintain social communication to a satisfactory level during that time reduced this effect. Therefore, enabling older adults to stay in touch with their social circle based on their personal preferences might reduce the impact that any future lockdown might have on their well-being.


Author(s):  
Albert Nsom Kimbu ◽  
Irma Booyens ◽  
Anke Winchenbach

Traditional rural livelihoods are disappearing due to natural resource decline, climate pressure and, also modernization. This study explores livelihood diversification from primary economic activities into tourism employment in rural communities. We examine the developmental role of tourism in areas where traditional activities, in this case fishing, have declined and tourism is growing. This article presents the findings of two case studies: the coastal communities of Padstow (UK) and Paternoster (South Africa). The approach is qualitative and draws on sustainable livelihoods and social well-being notions to examine how affected people “cope with change” with respect to tourism diversification, and individual and community well-being. While the socioeconomic and sociopolitical contexts in the two research sites differ, the findings show that narratives about belonging and identity feature prominently with respect to fishing livelihoods in both cases. Small-scale fishing, perceived as a way of life for fishers, is under threat in both areas, yet there is limited evidence of concerted efforts to plan and manage the potential diversification processes into tourism. Nonetheless, we observe that tourism does provide some opportunities for fishing-dependent communities and outline some avenues for stronger collaboration, particularly by focusing on culinary tourism.


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