Evaluation of a Mobile SMS based Twitter Information Service for Rural communities: A Case study of Ipologama Vidatha Resource Center, Sri Lanka

Ranhotige Madhavi Sandhyalekha Wijerathna; Uvasara Dissanayake; Sapna Navaratne; Darshana Gunawardena

doi:10.32535/jcda.v3i3.733

Evaluation of a Mobile SMS based Twitter Information Service for Rural communities: A Case study of Ipologama Vidatha Resource Center, Sri Lanka

Ranhotige Madhavi Sandhyalekha Wijerathna, Uvasara Dissanayake, Sapna Navaratne, Darshana Gunawardena

Abstract

Mobile phones have been effectively used to fulfill the information needs of rural communities in different contexts. This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mobile-based twitter information dissemination service implemented by the Vidatha Resource Center, Ipologama, Sri Lanka applying the Technology Acceptance Model. Fifty-six respondents who have been using the service were selected for the study. Data were collected through an interview schedule. According to the results, the service was useful, easy to use and cost-effective depicting the potential use of such systems to fulfill the information needs of the rural communities.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Aker, J.C. (2010). Information from markets near and far: Mobile phones and agricultural markets in Niger. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2, 46-59.

Allabouche, K., Diouri, O., Gaga, A., & Idrissi, N. E. A. El. (2016). Mobile phonesâ€™ social impacts on sustainable human development: Case studies, Morocco And Italy. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 4(1), 64â€“73.

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.

Department of Census and Statistic Sri Lanka. (2019). Computer Literacy Statistics.

Dissanayeke, U., & Wanigasundera, W.A.D.P. (2014). Mobile based information communication interactions among major agriculture stakeholders: Sri Lankan experience. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 60, 1 - 12.

Kassens-Noor, E. (2012). Twitter as a teaching practice to enhance active and informal learning in higher education: The case of sustainable tweets. Active Learning in Higher Education, 13(1), 9â€“21,

Fafchamps, M., & Minten, B. (2012). Impact of SMS-based agricultural information on Indian farmers. The World Bank Economic Review, 26(3), 383-414.

FAO. (2011). Mobile Telephony in Rural Areas.

FAO. (2016). Use of Mobile Phones by The Rural Poor Gender Perspectives from Selected Asian Countries.

Gow, G. A., (2018). Introducing a technology stewardship model to encourage ICT adoption in agriculture communities of practice: Reflections on Canada Sri Lanka partnership project, INR. Duncombe, Digital Technologies for Agricultural and Rural Development in the Global South. Oxfordshire: CABI.

Grosseck, G., & Holotescu, C. (2008). Can we use Twitter for educational activities [Paper Presentation]. In eLearning and Software for Education. 4th International Scientific Conference.

Islam, M.S., & Alawadhi, S. (2008). Sustainable rural IS implementation process for developing countries: Agriculture Market Information Services (AMIS) in Bangladesh. [Paper Presentation]. In Pettersson, J.S. (Ed.) 1st International Conference on M4D: Mobile Communication Technology for Development. Karlstad University, Sweden. (pp. 127â€“37).

ITU - International Telecommunication Union. (2012). Measuring the information society Retrieved from http://www.itu.int/en/ITUD/Statistics/Documents/publications/mis2012/MIS2012_without_Annex_4.pdf

Jathilake, H. A. C. K., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K., Perera, L. D. R. D., Gow, G. A., & Waidyanatha, N. (2017). Fostering technology stewardship approach to promote knowledge sharing among farming communities in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 28(3), 238â€“246. doi: 10.4038/tar.v28i3.8228.

Liu, L. (2005). The technology acceptance model : A meta-analysis of empirical findings, (January). Retrived from https://doi.org/10.4018/9781591404743.ch006.ch000

Putera, A., Sukotjo, E., Dharmawati, T., & Mokodompit, E. A. (2020). Model of community empowerment based on local wisdom through corporate social responsibility in North Konawe District. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education, 3(2), 1â€“10.

Rashid, A., & Elder, L. (2014). Mobile phones and development : An Analysis of IDRC-supported projects. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2009.tb00249.x

Razaque, A., & Hassa, S. M. (2013). The use of mobile phone among farmers for agriculture development. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15373/22778179/JUNE2013/31

Wijeratne, M., & Silva, N. D. (2013). Mobile phone intervention for Sri Lankan mushroom producers [Paper Presentation]. In 27th Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities. Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan.

Yeo, C., Mui, D., Kee, H., Mo, X. Y., Ang, H. E., & Chua, S. M. (2020). Technology advancement and growth : A case study of Huawei. Journal of Community Development in Asia, 3(1), 82â€“91.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/jcda.v3i3.733