Extending Human Capabilities through Information Technology Applications and Infrastructures
ABSTRACT: Many studies explore the ways in which information technology can bring about improvements in people’s lives by considering aspects of how it is used, applied in various communities and countries and how it affects certain key economic indicators such as growth. In particular, it appears that human development can be enabled through access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by enabling personal freedoms to be achieved. Sen (1999) suggests that in order to achieve Development, people need to be able to extend their capabilities so that they can access resources, earn an income and achieve their personal goals. The freedom of choice to be able to take opportunities that will enable people to earn an income is according to Sen (1999) alleviating poverty in developed as well as countries that are considered developing. Income is needed in order to enable people to get an education, healthcare and achieve other personal goals. Yet a key aspect of Sen’s capability perspective is that income is only a means to achieve the ends that people want to pursue if given the freedoms to do so. This is central to an understanding of development as a means of offering people the freedom to achieve their aims
Keywords: Healthcare, IT infrastructure, Human Capabilities, e-business, Community Telecenters
Extending Human Capabilities through Information Technology Applications and Infrastructures
ABSTRACT: Many studies explore the ways in which information technology can bring about improvements in people’s lives by considering aspects of how it is used, applied in various communities and countries and how it affects certain key economic indicators such as growth. In particular, it appears that human development can be enabled through access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by enabling personal freedoms to be achieved. Sen (1999) suggests that in order to achieve Development, people need to be able to extend their capabilities so that they can access resources, earn an income and achieve their personal goals. The freedom of choice to be able to take opportunities that will enable people to earn an income is according to Sen (1999) alleviating poverty in developed as well as countries that are considered developing. Income is needed in order to enable people to get an education, healthcare and achieve other personal goals. Yet a key aspect of Sen’s capability perspective is that income is only a means to achieve the ends that people want to pursue if given the freedoms to do so. This is central to an understanding of development as a means of offering people the freedom to achieve their aims
Keywords: Healthcare, IT infrastructure, Human Capabilities, e-business, Community Telecenters
