Showing papers on "Appropriate technology published in 2006"

The World Technology Frontier

Abstract: We define a country’s technology as a triple of efficiencies: one for unskilled labour, one for skilled labour and one for capital. We find a negative crosscountry correlation between the efficiency of unskilled labour, and the efficiencies of skilled labour and capital. We interpret this finding as evidence of the existence of a World Technology Frontier. On this frontier, increases in the efficiency of unskilled labour are obtained at the cost of declines in the efficiency of skilled labour and capital. We estimate a model in which firms in each country optimally choose from a menu of technologies, i.e. they choose their technology subject to a Technology Frontier. The optimal choice of technology depends on the country’s endowment of skilled and unskilled labour, so that the model is one of appropriate technology. The estimation allows for country-specific technology frontiers, due to barriers to technology adoption. We find that poor countries tend disproportionately to be inside the World Technology Frontier.

Electronic Government and the Rural Poor: The Case of Gyandoot

Abstract: In the poor and drought-prone rural district of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, India, Gyandoot has tried since January 2000 to make government services more accessible to villagers through information and communications technology (ICT). Two recent surveys of this e-government project allow us to evaluate whether the local population is benefiting. Main findings are that while service satisfaction is quite high, usage is low, and that poorest people are not using Gyandoot. We conclude that much of the potential benefits of e-government are not realized. Lessons for ICT projects that intend to benefit the rural poor include the use of appropriate technology, implementation of the project by agents who have incentives to serve the poor, community participation and ownership, availability of pro-poor services, and execution of awareness-raising campaigns.

Failure Is Not an Option: Collecting, Reviewing, and Acting on Evidence for Using Technology to Enhance Academic Performance.

Abstract: The “achievement gap” is a well-documented problem in schools. In practical terms, the problem can be illustrated in a graph (Figure 1). The diagonal line illustrates the intended learning outcome: one year of academic achievement for each year in school. However, the dotted line illustrates the pattern of achievement of many under-performing students, including students of color, those with disabilities, those living in poverty, and those whose first language is not English. The area between the dotted line of performance by low achievers and the diagonal line of expected grade-level performance is known as the achievement gap. Concern about chronic underachievement is one of the core tenets of the federal education reform law known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), as shown in the law’s emphasis on measuring adequate yearly progress.

Appropriate technology: Make anything, anywhere

Abstract: Can everyone use technology creatively? Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology think so and have launched 'Fab Labs' around the world to prove it. Apoorva Mandavilli reports.

Arsenic Mitigation for Water Supply in Bangladesh: Appropriate Technological and Policy Perspectives

Abstract: Drinking of arsenic-contaminated water and the associated health impacts have been reported in developing and developed countries. Bangladesh is faced with the worst arsenic contamination of groundwater in the world, with an estimated 35 to 77 million people at risk of exposure to drinking arsenic-contaminated tubewell water. Lack of appropriate technologies has complicated and inhibited mitigation initiatives. This paper discusses the data obtained during efforts made to develop technologies for safe water supply by the Government of Bangladesh and its national and international partners. It is expected that the information will contribute towards development of appropriate technologies for water supply for millions of people in Bangladesh and other countries. About 95% of Bangladesh’s rural population drinks tubewell water. Both arsenic removal and alternative technologies were widely promoted for water supply in these areas. The government and its national and international development partners developed various arsenic mitigation technologies for water supply, but most of the arsenic removal technologies were promoted without sound testing and showed poor, questionable and/or confusing performance in real situations. Also, use of most of the arsenic removal technologies was discontinued after a few to several months of installation. Concerns about the microbiological contamination of safe feed water during treatment were noted in arsenic removal options, in addition to high costs, efficiency, social and/or other problems. The 2004 National Policy for Arsenic Mitigation and its Implementation Plan stated a need for access to safe drinking water for all through alternative water technologies while arsenic removal technologies are developed and promoted after specified verification. The national policy specified and widely promoted alternative options such as improved dugwells, safe tubewells, pond sand filters, rainwater harvester and piped water systems from arsenic-safe water sources. A few of the promoted alternative options showed poor functional and social performance, in addition to supplying microbiologically contaminated water. Arsenic-safe shallow tubewells, deep tubewells and piped water systems may be regarded as appropriate technologies under the existing conditions when the performance of the arsenic removal and alternative water technologies were compared. There are constraints in promoting those three water technologies in various hydrogeological conditions throughout the county. A wide range of appropriate technologies needs to be developed and promoted, and the issue of how to deal with the existing millions of arsenic-contaminated tubewells also needs to be considered. Research and development of sound sciencebased appropriate technologies are urgently recommended for effective realization of the Millennium Development Goal for safe water.

Value Roadmapping: A Structured Approach for Early Stage Technology Investment Decisions

Abstract: Deciding to invest in early stage technologies is one of the most important tasks of technology management and arguably also the most uncertain. It assumes a particular significance in the rise of technology companies in emerging economies, which have to make appropriate investment decisions. Technology managers already have a wide range of methods and tools at their disposal, but these are mostly focussed on quantitative measures such as discounted cash flow and real options techniques. However, in the early stages of technology development there seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction with these techniques as there appears to be a lack of accuracy with respect to the underlying assumptions that these models require. In order to complement these models this paper will discuss an alternative approach that we call value road- mapping. By adapting roadmapping techniques the potential value streams of early stages technologies can be plotted and hence a clearer consensus based picture of the future potential of new technologies emerges. Roadmapping is a workshop-based process bringing together multifunctional perspectives, and supporting communication in particular between technical and commercial groups. The study is work in progress and is based on a growing number of cases.

Total approach is a must for small and medium enterprises to attain sustainable working conditions and environment, with special reference to Bali, Indonesia.

Abstract: Attention and assistance to enhance the role of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) by the government is more emphasized due to the success of SMEs in earning significant amount of foreign currency when Indonesia had to face economical crisis in 1997. This policy has been highly recognized again since the bombing tragedy in 2002; with the excellent evidence to show how important SMEs is in helping and maintaining the economic development of Bali. But in the implementation the assistance needs to be remanaged again in a more proper and appropriate way to attain the ultimate goals. The three economic potentials, agriculture in broad sense, tourism and SMEs (cottage industry included), must be developed in harmony, interdependence, support and complementary each other, if possible as synergist to obtain sustainable development of Bali. While assistance to SMEs must be done in a more coordinated way among the government technical offices, universities, NGOs, banking, and other social community institutions. By doing so, there would be no duplication or gap, nor creation of new disadvantageous problems. It could be in form of ergonomics, occupational health and safety impacts and problems in particular, and in adverse working conditions and environment in general. Therefore it is a must at this moment to carry out total approach in helping SMEs, by integrating the effort to improve their working conditions and environment, built-in within the effort to enhance SMEs'quality of life through economic assistance. In this process a total approach through SHIP approach and Appropriate Technology intervention must be done wisely and timely. By so doing, SMEs'sustainable working conditions and environment shall be attained.

Bringing m-government to South African citizens: policy framework, delivery challenges and opportunities.

Abstract: The paper aims to provide a framework for m-government deployment in South Africa. It examines major factors affecting m-government use by citizens, business and government; and it highlights implementation challenges. The paper argues that synergy between e and m-government should be exploited to avoid unnecessary duplication of services. Sustainability of m-government depends on its ability to provide value-added services. Healthy mgovernment program depends upon national strategy, infrastructure support, appropriate technology platform, low access cost, and increased awareness generation especially for citizens in underserved areas. It cautions that real success comes from universal access to services and the provision of low cost services through increased competition.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Innovations For Primary Health Care in Developing Countries

Abstract: One important area in which GIS is increasingly being applied is in the design and evaluation of health care programs. 3 This application is becoming more common not only in communities of industrialized countries, but in economically marginalized communities of developing countries as well. 4 The increasing availability of remotely sensed data sets and other digital databases, combined with declining hardware and software prices and improvements in global positioning system (GPS) accuracy, have encouraged more widespread use. The elevated disease burden in developing countries and proportion of that burden attributable to infectious diseases (often with well-defined and spatially varying covariates) make the inherent potential of GIS in developing countries considerable. In addition, due to infrastructure and cost constraints, many developing countries suffer from a lack of reliable statistics and disease reporting. GIS can help significantly in this area by filling the gaps with empirical disease modeling techniques. Public health practices need information to implement appropriate actions, and GIS is an innovative technology for generating this type of information. GIS is therefore considered an appropriate technology for developing countries, despite the fact that it appears to contradict the principles of appropriate technology (because it can require high costs and levels of expertise). 5 Frank Tanser

Appropriate Technology,Technological Selection,and Economic Growth in Developing Countries

Abstract: In this paper,we argue that the most appropriate(optimal)technologies of an economy are endogenously determined by the economy's factor endowment structure(skill level).If a developing country selects appropriate technologies that match the skills of this country,the differences in total factor productivity and output per labor between developing countries and developed countries will be the smallest.Furthermore,owing to the lower cost of technical progress in developing countries,the economic growth rate in developing countries may be greater than that in developed countries and convergence can happen in these developing countries.

Technology Roadmapping : R&D Planning Coordination Between Component Supplier-System Integrator

Abstract: This study conducted experiments to test how technology division structures are expressed and analyzed on a technology roadmap by identifying the relationships between system integration and components during the development of the T-501 aircraft in the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry has the typical features of a complex structure, requiring the integration of several million components and requires a high technology concentration in each assembly phases. Further, the aerospace industry also has unique features that undergo a great value chain variation in accordance with the purchasing power between an aircraft system integrator (final manufacturer) and a few demand monopoly firms (military or airliners). Accordingly, a system integrator shall need an operational plan, which combines an appropriate development of demand firm's needs with existing technology resources, further requiring close cooperation among several component supplying firms. On the other side, an aerospace component has very complex and precise operational procedures that must meet strict safety regulations due to their effects of aircraft safety and reliability. Because of these reasons, system integrators and component suppliers have a strong value chain structure of technology dependence and operations. Thus, reciprocal information sharing and cooperative development strategies between firms form an indispensable operational foundation for aircraft development. That is, it is necessary to have an appropriate planning system to consider both commercialization and vast R&D costs when establishing common development strategies among technology organizations. A technology roadmap is designed around detailed strategic forecasts of technology in the developmental phase, and includes time planning between organizations that, in turn creates new technologies for future development strategies. After the initial development results, we noticed a great time discrepancy in the commercialization phase, due to information and technology asymmetries between system integrators and component suppliers

Sustainable and Market-Based Analyses of Cooking Technologies in Developing Countries

Abstract: Over two billion persons worldwide use biomass as their primary form of energy in household cooking. This creates significant adverse consequences to families in developing nations that use stoves made without technical advancements commonly used in the industrialized world. The often simple, ad-hoc stoves lead to harmful side effects including disease, pollution, injury, and deforestation. Further negative consequences arise in household economics when considering losses in labor, time spent gathering fuel, and high fuel costs relative to income. Because of this much research over the past 10-20 years has been conducted with developing better household cooking methods. Findings from these efforts produced more effective stoves to accommodate the needs of impoverished families. Many of these projects began with philanthropic interests and grants to aid the world's poor. However outside of lump-sum funds for materials and labor there is often be little available to sustain the technical or human resources needed for continued stove utilization. One method to approach sustainability involves a market-based approach to better insure continuation of the benefits of improved cookstoves. This paper provides an assessment of the benefits of advanced cooking devices to both consumers and producers. Further investigations demonstrate consumer and producer impediments in collaborating for mutual benefit. Through realization of the interests and constraints facing both sides, plausible processes can be drawn for holistic improvement of communities in relation to household cooking. This paper also provides various options for intervention and start-up as potential methods in creating sustainable markets for safe, cost-effective, and efficient stoves.Copyright © 2006 by ASME

Implementation of an Appropriate Household Water Purification System in Tourou, Cameroon

Abstract: The two goals of this project were to develop a household water purification method and to provide a framework for sustaining this technology in a low-income community. According to the World Health Organization, waterborne diseases are a leading cause of illness and death in developing countries. Over 1.1 billion people across the world lack access to an improved water supply, leading to diseases that disproportionately affect children. Water purification methods used in high-income nations are neither economically nor technically feasible in low-income countries. As a result, there is a critical need for inexpensive, appropriate water purification technologies. The system developed was tested in Tourou, Cameroon.

GIS in New Zealand Schools: Issues and Prospects.

Abstract: (2006). GIS in New Zealand Schools: Issues and Prospects. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education: Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 268-270.

Science and Technology at the World Bank, 1968–83

Abstract: The World Bank was an important supporter of science and technology during the period 1968–83. President Robert McNamara’s poverty oriented strategy created challenges that led to technological research, technology assessment and technological innovation in agriculture, forestry, civil works construction, sanitation, and many other fields of development. The Bank also pioneered in financing governmental mechanisms to stimulate industrial innovation. On the other hand, its support to science and technology was limited by lack of an overall policy and systematic support from top management, as well as by cumbersome procedures designed for large infrastructural projects. Even so, its financial independence, its strong leadership, its experienced and non‐political technical staff, and its ability to scale up successful innovations through its project lending, made it an important promoter of appropriate technology in the developing world.

Exploring the flexibilities of TRIPS to promote biotechnology capacity building and appropriate technology transfer

Abstract: Produced for the European Commission's 6th Framework Programme as part of the project 'Impacts of the IPR Rules on Sustainable Development (IPDEV)'

Design for Multi-lifecycle: A sustainable design concept applied to an agroindustrial development project

Abstract: Sustainability of technologies has been the central focus of many international debates, seminars and forums. The need for sustainable technologies in the developing countries is particularly critical in view of their limited financial and techno-capability. Designing for sustainability requires the consideration of a number of factors such as how to minimize total lifecycle cost, techno-capability of the local technicians in maintaining and improving the technology, minimizing environmental cost of using the technology, end-of-life management of the technology and several other factors that are relevant to the location where the technology will be deployed. In this design and development project, a shelling machine was designed for multi-lifecycle. The essence of this design paradigm was to facilitate unlimited use and reuse of this technology. The design concept is based on an integrated concept of design for modularity, disassembly, maintainability and remanufacturing. The machine can be used to shell/thresh various types of farm produce such as rice, sorghum, cowpea and rye by changing the concave and the cylinder. The configuration of the machine enables access to most of the component parts without changing the tools needed for disassembly because the same type of fasteners was used. Furthermore, the functional units (the shelling unit, the separation unit and the grading unit) were assembled into modules such that only the faulty part needs to be replaced when necessary. The design is so simplified that the operator can make the changes for different uses without any difficulty. The machine has been successfully tested on corn, peanuts and other agricultural produce. The modularity of the functional unit facilitates the multi-lifecycle use of machine and/or its component parts. The uniformity of the liaisons and simplification of the configuration will reduce both the disassembly times and maintenance cost. By this unlimited usability/reusability of the machine, the material requirements for producing brand new machines are conserved, environmental emissions that would be associated with the manufacture; transportation and disposal of the machines are eliminated while the capital requirements by farmers for machinery replacement are minimized. Consequently, the total lifecycle cost is minimized while the eco-efficiency is maximized.

Selecting the most appropriate technology: the need to assess the match of person and device

Abstract: A shift in philosophy has increased the use of evidence-based practices, moving toward person-focused programs and away from generalized, people-focused efforts focused on infrastructure services. Person-focused efforts are tailored to the individual’s needs, while people-focused efforts can tend to follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach to service delivery. A taxonomy which holds a good deal of promise for being more person-focused is the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), in which body functions, body structures, activities and participation in life roles, and contextual factors are to be considered when evaluating individuals’ needs and the effects of service provision. Assessing the features of these domains and contexts for a given individual can facilitate the person–technology match, so that the adopted technology can have a meaningful impact on quality of life, health, and participation of persons with disabilities. This paper presents an evidence-based practice designed to achieve successful matching of person and technology and subsequent optimal use of that technology.

Educating engineers in appropriate technology for development

Abstract: Appropriate technology (AT) encompasses a diverse set of tools, processes and technologies that are focused on development. AT is, in general, characterised by small capital requirements, the use of local materials and resources, and is usually relatively labour intensive, small scale and affordable to individual families. The core principle of AT is to include local communities in technology selection and development, innovation and implementation, all in an environmentally sustainable manner. In this paper, the authors discuss a course offered for undergraduate engineering students that focuses on AT and is centred around development. The course material is situated in the broad global context in general, and in rural and agricultural settings in particular. After an adequate theoretical and philosophical introduction, the course is developed through specific and illustrative case studies. These include country-specific case studies, including those that have been developed outside the global capitalist mainstream, such as Cuba and Zimbabwe, as well as technological development in countries like India, China and Brazil. The discussion also centres on the various broad categories of technologies, with specific focus on health, water, agriculture and the environment.

Technology Issues and the New ICTs

Abstract: The author provides examples of low-cost information and communications technologies (ICTs) and suggests five major strategies for their low-cost deployment in developing countries: (1) appropriate technology, (2) free/open software, (3) compulsory licensing, (4) pay-per-use public stations and (5) community/public ownership of ICT infrastructure. Aside from the problems of affordability and universal access, the author identifies the Internet's built-in biases for (1) English, (2) subsidizing globalization, (3) automation and (4) the technofix, and explores the implications of these biases. The challenge is not only to design affordable and accessible technologies or to redesign technologies to be consistent with our deeply held values, but also to make ourselves less technology dependent.

Strategies for sustainable learner support services in developing nations

Abstract: Developing nations are anxious to provide mass access to higher education for the citizenry. Open and Distance Learning seems to be the most reliable means which combine accessibility and affordability for the individual and cost efficiency for government and providers. However, issues like appropriate technology, acceptable academic culture and practices, enabling infrastrucutre, and various individual characteristics need to be attended to. Open and distance learning institutions could help provide mass access; it could help reduce the cost of university education, it could help meet the yearnings of the individual for university admission and could help rebuild confidence in those who struggled for places in conventional universities that all is not lost. But, all these do not guarantee success. ODL instituions need support services which help reduce to the barest minimum, issues of isolation, lack of motivation or inability to self motivate. There is thus need for a sustainable learner support services. This paper discusses the various ways of making such services sustainable in developing nations. It discusses the cost effectiveness of support services, it compares the cost of high attrition rate with that of high completion rate, examines the concept of community ownership of study centres and how this can work in developing nations where the citizenry believes that government has to provide all things; and discusses the attitudinal disposition of consumers of services in study centres in relation to sustainability.

Photovoltaics in Remote Indigenous Australian Communities: An Assessment of the Bushlight Community Energy Planning Model

Abstract: Bushlight is a 4-year program (now extended for another 2 years) funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Centre for Appropriate Technology, Australia. It aims to improve the livelihood choices of about 100 small remote Indigenous communities by providing sustainable energy services in the form of photovoltaic systems. This paper evaluates the sustainability, cost effectiveness and community outcomes of implementing photovoltaic systems using the Bushlight Community Energy Planning Model (CEPM) in remote Indigenous communities in comparison with the conventional practices. Using case studies of four remote Indigenous communities, it was found that the Bushlight CEPM was more likely to provide sustained energy services, and encourage community empowerment at a competitive life-cycle cost per person when compared with the conventional practices.

9 Low Cost IT for Developing Countries

Abstract: In developing countries, a low cost information system must be capable of reaching farmers in the villages. The cost must always be balanced against the benefits. Radio and TV are two ways to spread information. Examples of IT systems are given for many developing countries. In Indonesia, CD-ROMs and video cassettes are used to disseminate appropriate technology for small and medium enterprises. Topics covered include agricultural machinery, cropping systems, aquaculture, animal husbandry, water management and sanitation, and food processing technologies. Another example is computer software for optimum scheduling of tractor and implement operation. Examples of IT development in agriculture are a control system for nutrient solutions, product quality evaluation using low cost image analysis, near infrared and ultrasonic systems for evaluating the internal quality of agricultural products, neural networks for forecasting rainfall runoff, controlling production and post-harvest handling, fuzzy control of tea processing, genetic algorithms for controlling fermentation processes, and watershed optimization. All these examples are designed to provide the fullest benefit for the most people and thus to accelerate the economic growth and human welfare in developing countries.