The checklist below derives from the Principles for DX4D Research and Consulting, modified on the basis of presentation to an international development audience, and a revision workshop of digital development researchers.
It is intended for use by researchers undertaking DX4D research, to help improve the fit of that research with the particular nature of digital transformation for development:
1. Does your research incorporate a definition of digital transformation for development: both the digital transformation element and the developmental transformation that is the goal of DX4D?
2. Is digital transformation for development understood in your research to be different from incremental digitally-enabled change: creating significant systemic disruption that involves technological changes to digital data and systems but also involves and requires broader, parallel transformative changes in development processes, resource distributions, formal and informal institutions, and structural relations?
3. Does your research therefore recognise that the impact of digital transformation for development emerges not deterministically from technology alone but from a mix of social and technological factors?
4. Is there recognition in your research that there are both positive and negative impacts associated with DX4D?
5. Is the focus for your research the micro-level, proactive actions of individuals within organisations (digital transformation for development) and/or the macro-level societal changes (digital transformation of development) that both derive from and shape micro-level actions?
6. If your research discusses implementation drivers, barriers, processes, etc., does it move beyond traditional ICT4D research, to take into account the specific scope, duration, disruption and other features of digital transformation for development?
7. If your research provides practical DX4D recommendations, do these cover not just the content of organisational (private, public, NGO and international agency) strategy or government policy but also details of the processes and the structures through which that strategy or policy will be implemented?
Watch the video below for a summary of these key points:
These revisions are based on workshop inputs from Adolph Sedem Yaw Adu, Katazo Amunkete, Judy van Biljon, Leonard P. Binamungu, Adheesh Budree, Ishmael Chikoo, Faheem Hussain, Epiphania Kimaro, Masoud Mahundi, Mandipezano Makawonesu, Silvia Masiero, Rangarirai Matavire, Rogerio Melo, Nita Mennega, Sarah Mulaji, Eric Munyambabazi, Sinte Mutelo, Gwamaka Mwalemba, Sajda Qureshi, Sundeep Sahay, Tim Savage, Lisa Seymour, Anand Sheombar, Cecilia Strand and P. J. Wall, plus colleagues from JICA and the JICA Ogata Research Institute. They were edited by Richard Heeks.
Learn more about the DX4D project here.
Note: This article gives the views of the author/academic featured and does not represent the views of the Global Development Institute as a whole.
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