Digital development imaginaries, informal business practices and the platformisation of digital technology in Zambia

Willems, Wendy ORCID: 0000-0002-9185-4268 (2020) Digital development imaginaries, informal business practices and the platformisation of digital technology in Zambia. In: Helle-Valle, Jo and Storm-Mathisen, Ardis, (eds.) Media practices and changing African socialities: non-media-centric perspectives. Berghahn Books, Oxford, UK.

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Abstract

Digital technology is not only treated as a crucial growth sector but is also seen as a means to transform business. Drawing on research with market vendors in Lusaka, Zambia, this chapter argues that trust and social capital remain crucial in informal business practices and are essential preconditions to the potential scaling up of business networks enabled by social media. Furthermore, it is crucial to analytically situate the role of digital technology in Africa within the wider context of the ‘platformisation’ of the internet which violates net neutrality and raises concerns about Africa’s growing datafication and threats to privacy.

Item Type:	Book Section
Official URL:	https://www.berghahnbooks.com/
Additional Information:	© 2019 Berghahn Books
Divisions:	Media and Communications
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2019 09:30
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2024 23:34
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/101248

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