FACTORS INFLUENCE THE ADOPTION OF MOBILE PHONES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN THE RURAL AREAS IN KENYA.

Sylvanah Karimi Mwabu, Edward Mburugu

Abstract


Mobile and wireless markets have both recorded exponential rise emerging as the fastest growing markets in the world. Just like any other innovation and development there are underlying factors that influence its adoption. The study was motivated to identify factors influencing the adoption of mobile phone technology in rural areas in Kenya. The main units of study were the households in Kiagu locations of Abothuguchi Sub- County in Meru County. One member of every household who owned a mobile phone and used the M-pesa money transfer service was interviewed. A total of 50 households were interviewed including 4 key informants. Data was collected through questionnaire and analyzed with aid of SPSS. The findings indicated that price, additional features, opinion of friends, appearance of handset and availability of low cost handset influenced the purchase decision. The study concludes the mobile phone is crucial for rural development though income level has a great role to play in the adoption. The study therefore recommends that the stakeholders in communication sector should come up with low cost technology that would lead to higher adoption of mobile technology in rural areas and also raise the standard of living.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Akoten, J. (2007). Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Poor Access to Credit by Micro and Small Enterprises in Kenya. Nairobi: Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR).

Buncombeās, J. (2010). Usage of Cell Phones in Morogoro Municipality. New institutional arrangements for development, science and technology, Development, 53(1), 48-53.

Communication Commission of Kenya ā Annual Report 2006/2007.

International Telecommunication Union (2009). Measuring the Information Society, the ICT Development Index. Geneva, Switzerland: ITU.

International Telecommunication Union, (2007).Telecommunication/ICT Markets and Trends in Africa 2007. Africa, ICT Indicators, 2007, International Telecommunication Union, Place des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva Switzerland.

Mendes S,; Alampay, E., Soriano E. & Sariano, C. (2007). The Innovative use of mobile Applications in the Phillipines; Lessons for Africa. SIDA.

Melchioly S. & Saebo O. (2010). ICTs and Development: Nature of mobile phones Usage for SMEs for Economic Development: An Exploratory study in Morogo, Tanzania. Journal of Information Engineering and Applications, 5(7), 32-45.

M-PESA Web pages on the Safaricom. Retrieved from http://www.safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=228

Scott, J. pulver, C., Eagle, T. & William, J (2009). āThe Performance and Impact of M-PESA: Preliminary. Working Paper, No. 2011-13, Brown University, Department of Economics, Providence, RI

William J., Pulver, C. & Suri T. (2009). The Performance and Impact of M-PESA: Preliminary. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.