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Mobile Phone Ecosystems and the Informal Sector in Developing Countries – Cases from Jamaica
Author(s) -
Johnson Stephen C.,
Thakur Dhanaraj
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the electronic journal of information systems in developing countries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1681-4835
DOI - 10.1002/j.1681-4835.2015.tb00476.x
Subject(s) - mobile phone , business ecosystem , informal sector , competition (biology) , exploratory research , information and communications technology , business , icts , informal learning , developing country , hierarchy , set (abstract data type) , ecosystem , marketing , knowledge management , economic growth , economics , sociology , political science , engineering , market economy , ecology , social science , telecommunications , pedagogy , computer science , law , programming language , biology
This study investigates the role of the ICT ecosystem within the informal business sectors of rural and urban Jamaica, relying on an exploratory collective case study methodology to highlight the differences in how the use of mobile phones have facilitated and enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities for business operators existing in the informal economy. The findings of the study confirm existing research about the socio‐economic benefits of ICTs but also highlight specific characteristics related to informal ICT ecosystems. For example, we found that there was a close‐knit set of entrepreneurs who were motivated by competition between one another but who would still engage in mutual learning and information sharing. These ecosystems also entail a system of social hierarchy among the actors, although there is potential for mobility. Finally, we note that our findings suggest a potential reconsideration of definitions of the informal sector that emphasize low‐skilled labour.