Mobile Myanmar: The development of a mobile app culture in Yangon

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorian Leong
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Network Infrastructure ◽  
Mobile Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Access Model

This article looks at the unfolding smartphone app adoption culture in Yangon, Myanmar with insights from 18 informant interviews, 3 informal interviews, and nonparticipant observation. Through the domestication framework and actor-network theory, findings showed a unique overlay of actors influencing acquisition and adoption of apps, including: dependent users, “warm-gatekeepers,” mobile phone shops, and Facebook. Mediators such as Android skins, language skills, and other factors (mobile data pricing and network infrastructure) impact the relationships between these actors. Together, the impact of mediators on actor relationships highlighted a filtered means many users adopted to acquire new apps, a “two-step access” model of acquisition. This article traces how users acquire apps given this network of actors, following their journey and how they overcome challenges and limitations in their social and technological landscape.

scholarly journals The Managing of Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Technologies’ Network Effect: An Adaptation of Actor-Network Theory

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Kobra Elahifar
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Music Industry ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
File Sharing ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Network Effect ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
P2p File Sharing ◽  
The Impact

Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing technologies have impacted the music industry, including its strategies for the distribution of the musical products, for more than a decade now. As a result, music labels have delayed full digitization of their industry in fear of “online music piracy”. The present paper reviews the historical context of the evolution of the music industry from 1999 to 2012. Using Actor-Network theory, the paper examines the strategies that helped the music industry to translate new actors’ effect in order to sustain music labels’ business on their path to digitize music distribution. I will discuss the impact of new digital policies and methods of governing online behavior including the business concept of “entrepreneurship” as they may potentially affect the future of public domain within the framework of consumer rights.

The Impact of Network of Actors on the Information Technology

2011 ◽  
pp. 234-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
It Strategy ◽  
Web Portal ◽  
Computing Environment ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Human Actors ◽  
The Impact

Organisations’ reliance on Information Technology (IT) is rapidly increasing. IT strategy is developed and implemented for particular purposes by different organizations. We should therefore expect that there will be network of actors within the computing environment, and that such network of actors will be the key to understanding many otherwise unexpected situations during the development and implementation of IT strategy. This network of actors has aligned interests. Many organizations are developing and implementing their IT strategy, while little is known about the network of actors and their impacts, which this paper reveals. This paper describes how Actor-Network Theory (ANT) was employed to investigate the impact of network of actors on the development and implementation of IT strategy in an organisation. ANT was used as it can provide a useful perspective on the importance of relationships between both human and non-human actors. Another example: design and implementation of a B-B web portal, is offered for comparison.

Innovation and Technical Transformations in Living Technology

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-42
Author(s):  
Rachel Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Natural Computing ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Cultural Shift ◽  
Industrial Age ◽  
Production Platform ◽  
The World ◽  
Far From Equilibrium ◽  
The Impact

This essay proposes that humans are in the midst of a cultural shift from the Industrial Age to an Ecological Era, which demands that one re-conceptualize the world and operate within it differently. It discusses the opportunities raised by Actor Network Theory (ANT) in helping one navigate the transition from an object-centred view of reality, towards one that also engages with process-oriented concepts. In particular, the impact of the convergence of these worldviews on technological innovation is explored through recognising a different material framework that engages with nonlinear systems. ANT offers a unique opportunity to deal with matter at far from equilibrium through the notion of assemblages, which act as a new kind of operating system that behaves in remarkably lifelike ways. Empirical evidence is provided for such an ANT-based, production platform through laboratory findings in an emerging field of computation called ‘natural' computing. A range of models and prototypes are discussed. The resultant lifelike technologies require unique infrastructures that facilitate the movement of elemental fabrics (earth, air, heat, water). While much evidence for their existence is propositional and qualitative, as they are in their earliest stages of development, these lifelike technologies have the potential to radically alter the impact of human development and transform it from being harmful to beneficial to the environment.

scholarly journals Viewing diaries in an age of new media: An exploratory analysis of mobile phone app diaries versus paper diaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 205979911984444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azi Lev-On ◽  
Hila Lowenstein-Barkai
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Exploratory Analysis ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Careful Planning ◽  
Paper Diary ◽  
Usage Patterns

This exploratory study inquires into the validity and reliability of dedicated mobile phone diary applications. We developed Watchy, a dedicated mobile viewing diary application, and compared users’ compliance and usage patterns with those of users of the paper viewing diaries. Participants received paper diaries or installed mobile diary apps, with or without daily reminders, to document their viewings over a 4-day period. Documentation was more extensive in the smartphone app with reminder group compared to the paper diary group. Reminders increased documentation rates. Extent of documentation decreased as the experiment progressed for mobile app users. Findings suggest that mobile viewing diaries are an important tool for viewing studies, yet their use requires careful planning.

An Actor-Network Analysis of a Case of Development and Implementation of IT Strategy

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Prima Facie ◽  
It Strategy ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Technical Factors ◽  
Human Actors ◽  
The Impact

Increasingly, many organizations are highly dependent on support from Information Technology (IT). Even though Carr has controversially argued that IT does not matter, there seems to be prima facie evidence that even the most ambitious business vision still needs IT to enable it. As such, there has been much focus and emphasis on technologies, and less attention on non-technical components in the development and implementation of IT strategy. This study is focused on the connection between the technical and nontechnical, including the relationships between actors in the development and implementation of IT strategy. This article describes how Actor-Network Theory (ANT) was employed to investigate the impact of non-technical factors on the development and implementation of IT strategy in an organization. ANT was used as it can provide a useful perspective on the importance of relationships between both human and non-human actors. Another example: design and implementation of a B-B web portal, is offered for comparison.

scholarly journals An Artificial Intelligence–Based, Personalized Smartphone App to Improve Childhood Immunization Coverage and Timelines Among Children in Pakistan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Momin Kazi ◽  
Saad Ahmed Qazi ◽  
Sadori Khawaja ◽  
Nazia Ahsan ◽  
Rao Moueed Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND The immunization uptake rates in Pakistan are much lower than desired. Major reasons include lack of awareness, parental forgetfulness regarding schedules, and misinformation regarding vaccines. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and distancing measures, routine childhood immunization (RCI) coverage has been adversely affected, as caregivers avoid tertiary care hospitals or primary health centers. Innovative and cost-effective measures must be taken to understand and deal with the issue of low immunization rates. However, only a few smartphone-based interventions have been carried out in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve RCI. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate whether a personalized mobile app can improve children’s on-time visits at 10 and 14 weeks of age for RCI as compared with standard care and to determine whether an artificial intelligence model can be incorporated into the app. Secondary objectives are to determine the perceptions and attitudes of caregivers regarding childhood vaccinations and to understand the factors that might influence the effect of a mobile phone–based app on vaccination improvement. METHODS A mixed methods randomized controlled trial was designed with intervention and control arms. The study will be conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital vaccination center. Caregivers of newborns or infants visiting the center for their children’s 6-week vaccination will be recruited. The intervention arm will have access to a smartphone app with text, voice, video, and pictorial messages regarding RCI. This app will be developed based on the findings of the pretrial qualitative component of the study, in addition to <i>no-show</i> study findings, which will explore caregivers’ perceptions about RCI and a mobile phone–based app in improving RCI coverage. RESULTS Pretrial qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in February 2020. Enrollment of study participants for the randomized controlled trial is in process. Study exit interviews will be conducted at the 14-week immunization visits, provided the caregivers visit the immunization facility at that time, or over the phone when the children are 18 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS This study will generate useful insights into the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of an Android-based smartphone app for improving RCI in Pakistan and in LMICs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04449107; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04449107 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/22996

scholarly journals Use of Mobile Phone App Interventions to Promote Weight Loss: Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md.Mohaimenul Islam ◽  
Tahmina Nasrin Poly ◽  
Bruno Andres Walther ◽  
Yu-Chuan (Jack) Li
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Promote Weight Loss ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Obesity and lack of physical activity are major health risk factors for many life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The use of mobile app interventions to promote weight loss and boost physical activity among children and adults is fascinating owing to the demand for cutting-edge and more efficient interventions. Previously published studies have examined different types of technology-based interventions and their impact on weight loss and increase in physical activity, but evidence regarding the impact of only a mobile phone app on weight loss and increase in physical activity is still lacking. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a mobile phone app intervention for reducing body weight and increasing physical activity among children and adults. METHODS PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Web of Science electronic databases were searched for studies published between January 1, 2000, and April 30, 2019, without language restrictions. Two experts independently screened all the titles and abstracts to find the most appropriate studies. To be included, studies had to be either a randomized controlled trial or a case-control study that assessed a mobile phone app intervention with body weight loss and physical activity outcomes. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool was used to examine the risk of publication bias. RESULTS A total of 12 studies involving a mobile phone app intervention were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the use of a mobile phone app was associated with significant changes in body weight (−1.07 kg, 95% CI −1.92 to −0.21, <i>P</i>=.01) and body mass index (−0.45 kg/m2, 95% CI −0.78 to −0.12, <i>P</i>=.008). Moreover, a nonsignificant increase in physical activity was observed (0.17, 95% CI −2.21 to 2.55, <i>P</i>=.88). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study demonstrate the promising and emerging efficacy of using mobile phone app interventions for weight loss. Future studies are needed to explore the long-term efficacy of mobile app interventions in larger samples.

Assistive ICT and Young Disabled Persons

2013 ◽  
pp. 337-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Söderström
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
Disabled Persons ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Identity Negotiations ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
The Impact

This chapter investigates the significance of assistive ICT as a tool in young disabled people’s identity negotiations. To analyse the impact of this tool, two different, but closely related, perspectives are used. The first perspective employs the concept of identity multiplicity, and the second uses Actor-Network Theory (ANT). The chapter draws on a qualitative interview study with 23 young disabled Norwegians aged 15-20 years. The analysis elaborates on how using assistive ICT creates new opportunities or represents an obstacle in young disabled people’s identity negotiations in the peer group, and thus on how both disability and identity are flexible, contextual, and relational phenomena produced in specific situations and relations. The chapter’s closing discussion expands on the tension between mainstream technology and assistive technology, and on challenges associated with the allocation of assistive technology.

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