| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the paper is to contribute towards providing a methodology which researchers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for development can use to design result-oriented programs. In this paper CAS theory is presented as the underlying theory for ICT for economic development. Complex Adaptive System (CAS) theory has been used to assist in understanding and managing complexity (Holland 1992; Fuller and Moran 2001] in many fields. The paper presents a conceptual model for ICT for economic development, a theoretical model, emanating from complexity science that treats economic development in firms or communities of practice as CASs offering an inter-disciplinary approach that is holistic as opposed to reductionist. This conceptual model is a convergence of theories in development. The convergence and integration is not a mere aggregation or addition of the theories, but the model provides a framework within which the variables identified by the different theories interrelate dynamically, influence each other and display a new ontology within which to analyze ICT for economic development. The theoretical model conceptualizes ICTs as interventions at influence points in a CAS (Parsons and Hargreaves 2009] and captures their role in structural transformation. The theoretical model is a convergence, reconciliation and integration point for theories in development. The implication of developing the ICT for economic development conceptual model means that the operationalization of the variables emanating from many theories used and the influence of specific ICTs on the model components needs to be addressed in further research. The conceptual ICT for economic development model contributes to the wide search for appropriate methodologies by researchers in ICT for development. | en_US |