Computer hubs

Technological inclusion in rural areas

Project Title: Examining the concept of computer hubs as an approach to increase technological inclusion in rural areas in low-income countries
Students:  Ludvig Frykholm, Jacob Toresson
School: Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm
Degree: Bachelor of Engineering
Major: Industrial Engineering and Management
Minor: Computer Science and Communications

 In a 2020 field study in Linga Linga, students Ludvig Frykholm and Jacob Toresson examined whether availability of computer hubs would increase the technological inclusion of members in rural areas in low-income countries. Ludvig and Jacob  considered three factors among community members in these areas: acceptance of computers, the financial viability of computer hubs, and actual ease of use of computers. Interviews, questionnaires, workshops, and focus groups were conducted to examine the viability of computer hubs.

According to their findings, users’ acceptance of computers, measured through their attitude toward the computers’ perceived usefulness and ease of use,  was sufficient for implementation of the project. The computers were easy enough to use  by those who lacked  computer experience, as the time it took to learn was low. The study found that computer hubs are financially viable from a business perspective and should be considered a viable approach to increase technological inclusion in rural areas in low-income countries.