Emerging Discourses on IT Innovation Perspectives for Development in Information Systems Within Emerging Economies; Case of Kenya

Abstract

Emergence on ICT innovation for development (ICTI4D) involves assumptions on the nature of ICT innovation and the way such innovation contributes to development particularly in emerging economies. This paper will review the multidisciplinary literature on ICTI4D and identify two perspectives regarding the nature of the ICT innovation process in emerging economies, case of Kenya in particular - as transfer and diffusion and as socially embedded action - and two perspectives on the development transformation towards which ICT is understood to contribute - progressive transformation and disruptive transformation. The four discourses formed is elaborated by combining the perspectives on the nature of IS innovation and on the development transformation. A conceptual framework will narrow down ICTI4D discourse. From the framework we then ague on the basis that despite its remarkable theoretical capabilities to study technology innovation in relation to socio-economic context, the four discourse remains weak in forming convincing arguments on ICT-enabled socio-economic development within emerging economies in particular underpinning the case of Kenya’s emerging economies.