Feminist Knowledge | ICTs

Usability of the Internet in SMEs: A Case Study of Female Small Scale Textile Entrepreneurs in Botswana
by Buhle Mbambo

I Introduction

The Internet is an essential part of the development process (Kole, 2000). It is in the interest of development organisations to adopt the Internet and various Information and Communica-tion Technologies (ICTs) as these have the potential to speed up the development process (Kgegwenyane, 2000; Thaphisa, 2000; World Bank 1998). Women have, on the other hand, been described as minority users and as consuming users of the Internet (Mbambo 1999). This paper is a summary of research that examines the extent to which the Internet can be utilised by predominantly women's organisations in small-scale business.

II Information as Development Resource

Development resources are those resources utilised by a community to fulfil its basic and advanced human needs. Some of these resources include finance, education, health, skilled per-sonnel, infrastructure, appropriate environments in which to perform tasks, and raw materials. It is not the mere availability of these resources that facilitates development, but rather their use in a specific context that facilitates development. Schram (1996) and Mchombu (1998) argue that information is an essential resource in the development process. Menou (1993:25), however, contends that, "contrary to the views of 1950 and 1960, information is no magic recipe for development". The relationship between access to information and development is both complex and intricate. This relationship is further complicated by the types of media used to transmit information. In cur-rent information literature, an impression is given that the Inter-net will enable developing countries to "leap frog" and catch up with developed ones. This assumption implies that information provision in the development process will be hastened by the Internet and that this will automatically lead to development. Such assertions downplay the effect of unequal access based on gender, urban-rural difference, literacy and education.

The role and participation of women in the development process is affected by limited capacity to access, harness and utilise all mechanism of development, including the Internet. The World Bank is concerned that unequal access to the Internet within developing countries may create a "digital divide" between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. The digital divide is also manifest in the fact that men have better access to the Internet than women.

III Case Study: The Botswana Textile and Small Business Association" (BOTSBOA)

Botswana is a land-locked country with a population of 1.5 million. It has a thriving small-scale sector. To support this sector, the government has put in place financial, legislative and human resource facilities to build the sector's capacity. The same sector has also been encouraged to adopt information technology in pur-suance of its development goals.

This paper summarises a case study which examines the extent to which the Internet could be used by small-scale enterprises in developing countries. The study tested the usability of the Inter-net as an information delivery tool to women in a developing country. The population of study was a group of textile entre-preneurs in Botswana.

The case study focused on the Gaborone Chapter of the Botswana Textile and Small Business Association (BOTSBOA). Sometimes they are referred to as entrepreneurs in this paper. These entrepreneurs are part of the SME sector that the Government of Botswana sees as an engine for growth. The association has a 93% women membership. The researcher became a member of this association for two years. She participated in their activities and urged them to learn and adopt ICTs. During the research process the entrepreneurs were exposed to the Internet. A web site was constructed for them based on their expressed information needs. The site included information on banking, government schemes, sources of fabrics, a sample business plan and links to other sites. The group was then asked to evaluate the usability of the site to meet their business requirements.

It must be noted that this group of entrepreneurs did not have access to individual personal computers (PCs). In order for them to utilise the website, they were taken to an organisation with computer with Internet access. They worked in groups of twos. The researcher provided a brief tutorial on the PC, the Internet and a brief tour of the site. The groups were then encouraged to explore before answering questions.

IV Findings

The practical experience of using the Internet showed that:

(a) Entrepreneurs were willing to use it in order to solve their business-related problems. For instance, they immediately wanted to buy fabrics they located on the web.
(b) Users were not deterred by the language used (English) or a new and essentially unfamiliar technology. They provided one another with interpretation as they explored.
(c) Working in groups created a friendly environment in which users could ask their peers for help and discuss their findings with one another.
(d) The experience demystified the Internet, which is often perceived as foreign. The entrepreneurs used it as a tool to locate useful information and conduct business.

However, the immediacy that is created by the Internet led to a disappointment when the users found that they could not trade over the Internet because:

(a) They were not in possession of credit cards.
(b) The legal system at that time did not allow transaction over the web.

This lead to the realisation that there is need to clearly understand the electronic commerce rules, regulations and frameworks existing in a country before Internet trading can be effected.

The application of the Internet confirmed that although there is indeed unequal access to the Internet, as well as a lack of policy on Internet provision, women as a group can effectively use it for the benefit of their enterprises. It showed that women entrepreneurs were extremely keen to use the Internet for online trade or e-commerce. This sector, which is sustained by its profits, could benefit enormously from access to the Internet as an information source and as a medium for trade. The study showed that if the policy issues that inhibit e-trade over the Internet were removed, and if users were given adequate training they could solve some technical and social problems (such as language usage) and use the Internet to expand their businesses and make them vastly profitable.

V Recommendations

In order to make the Internet usable by women entrepreneurs, the following recommendations are made:

· There is a need to create supportive e-commerce environ-ment that ensures access to credit cards, e-banking facilities and favourable foreign exchange controls.
· Technical support for women entrepreneurs is essential to ensure digitalization of wares in order to market them on the web.
· Training is critical. Women entrepreneurs will need to be trained in all matters related to e-banking.
· Constant demystification of the web is recommended in order to increase the number of role players, especially women.

VI Conclusions

The study has shown that the Internet can be an extremely beneficial development tool in developing countries provided that economic and legal constraints are resolved. These problems, hindrances and issues described relate mainly to the kind of infrastructure essential in any country before the Internet can function with maximum efficiency. The study shows that entrepreneurs will tackle micro-level difficulties of language in order to trade, but require macro-level assistance at policy level to create economic and legal frameworks for operation. It is the researcher's view that case study results are applicable and could provide useful insights to other countries.

References

Kgengwenyan, O. 2000: "Information Technology relevance to training in Botswana". Paper Presented at Africa University Day, 15-21 October 2000. Gabarone: University of Botswana.

Kole, E. 1999. "Supporting Small Enterpise with New technology". http://www.x4all.nl-ekde/public/toolart.html.

Mbambo, B. 1999. "African Women and the Internet," in Information Development, 15, 2: 229-232.

Mchombu, K. J. 1998. "Impact of Information on Rural Development: Background, Methodology and Progress".
http://www.idrc.ca/books/focu/783/mchombu.html

Menou, M. J. 1993. Measuring the Impact of Information Development. Ottawa: International Centre for Research Development.

Schram, W. 1996. Mass Media and National Development. Stanford University Press.

Thapisa, A. P. N. 2000. "The Impact of Globalisation on Africa," Library Management, 21, 4: 170-177.

World Bank Group. 1998. World Development Report. Washington D.C.

For further information:

Dr. Buhle Mbambo
Librarian
University of Zimbabwe
P. O. Box MP45
Mount Pleasant
Harare / Zimbabwe
Tel: 00263-4- 30 32 11
Fax: 00263-4- 353 83
bmbambo@uzlib.uz.ac.zw