Introducing Internet-Based Services in the Mountain Areas of Nepal: An Asset Pentagon Perspective

Abstract:
Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) projects
can only be considered successful if they lead to some kind of individual, social,
or economic development. The beneªts of introducing ICT4D projects in
developing countries are yet to be realized, particularly those introduced in
mountainous and remote areas. Our study addresses this knowledge gap by
analyzing the Nepal Wireless Networking Project from the mountain areas in
Nepal using the assets pentagon model (APM). The main contributions of this
work are threefold: First, we illustrate and discuss the use and usefulness of
introducing APM, addressing the call for more clarity as to how ICT4D projects
add to development. Second, our study expands the research knowledge of
the relationships among various capital assets. Finally, our study reports on an
ICT4D project from the mountain areas of Nepal, representing a country and
an area that have been scarcely reported in our research community.

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