Re-embedding Market Information Systems: Thoughts on Design

Oreglia, Elisa; Srinivasan, Janaki

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/73713 Copy

Description

Title

Re-embedding Market Information Systems: Thoughts on Design

Author(s)

• Oreglia, Elisa
• Srinivasan, Janaki

Issue Date

2015-03-15

Keyword(s)

• information services
• qualitative research methods
• ICT4D (information and communication technology for development)

Abstract

Market Information Systems (MIS) developed for farmers in the Global South with the goal of providing them with different types of agricultural information are failing to be widely adopted. We argue that this is because they are designed on the basis of a universalistic idea of how markets (should) work, and how abstract information circulates (or does not). Drawing from our study of information practices in rural Indian and Chinese agricultural communities, we suggest three dimensions that need to be considered in order to design MIS that are more aligned with the actual needs of their targeted users, and the micro and macro contexts in which they live. The first is the range of roles and policies at play in the functioning of a market; followed by the identity of the actors in these roles; and finally by existing information-sharing practices and media (radio and television) involved in the working of the market.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2015 Proceedings

Type of Resource

text

Language

English

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/73713

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Copyright 2015 is held by the authors. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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