IDIA2009 Conference
Fone band... Dukan band! (Mobile Phone Close… Shop Close!) Design Issues and Preliminary Findings from a Study of ICTs and Urban Micro-Enterprises in India
P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan
Mark Levy
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
Abstract
This paper shares findings from a pilot study conducted as the first stage of a large-scale investigation of the links between ICT use in urban micro-enterprises and economic development. The full study was conducted during April, May, and June, 2009, in Mumbai city, India; and, unlike nearly all previous research on this topic, it employed a multi-stage probability sample in order to gather more rigorous benchmark data about the use of ICTs by urban micro-enterprises. The paper explains the process by which the sample was designed and finalized by a field visit in Mumbai by the researchers. It also describes how the survey questionnaire was developed through a pilot study conducted with micro-entrepreneurs in New Delhi, India, and presents observations recorded. Findings from the pilot study show high levels of mobile telephone use by urban microentrepreneurs, with significant lower use of computers, the Internet, or Internet cafés. Ownership of mobile phones is a function of both personal and business variables. ICT use is strongly linked to differences in the businesses with regard to customers, suppliers and services/products offered. Irrespective of the nature of business and ownership, use of ICTs is perceived to be strongly linked to business growth. New insights regarding “missed calls” in mobile phones, not using computers at workplace despite the need, and non preference for short messaging services (SMS) despite lower cost are also discussed in the paper.
