Providing Women with Technology in Rural Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa A case study exploring the acceptance, usage, and effects of Electric Tricycles among Rural Women in Zimbabwe
| dc.contributor.author | Jansson, Alva | |
| dc.contributor.author | Söderling, Fanny | |
| dc.contributor.department | Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för teknikens ekonomi och organisation | sv |
| dc.contributor.department | Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Technology Management and Economics | en |
| dc.contributor.examiner | Teigland, Robin | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Heathcote-Fumado, Ida | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-06-17T11:09:51Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-06-17T11:09:51Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.date.submitted | ||
| dc.description.abstract | This study explores the adoption and usage of solar-powered electric tricycles, known as Hamba, among rural women in Zimbabwe provided by the local company Mobility for Africa. Through a field study in rural Zimbabwe and the application of the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), the research identifies factors influencing technology acceptance and usage in rural sub Saharan Africa. The research aims to understand adoption, usage, and effects addressing three re search questions: (1) What factors influence the adoption and usage of electric tricycles for women in Zimbabwe? and (2) How do these factors influence the adop tion and usage of electric tricycles for women in Zimbabwe? (3) What effects on women and society can be seen from the implementation of electric tricycles? The results emphasize that several factors influence adoption and usage but to vary ing degrees. Performance expectancy, social influence, and price value are the most influential. In contrast, only facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, social in fluence, and habit influence usage, with the first two having the greatest influence. In addition, the findings indicate that three additional factors, not included in the existing UTAUTU2 framework, influence the adoption and usage. These factors are knowledge, trust, and the effects in society. Where the two former are seen as influences from the technology provider. Further, the study reveals that introducing the Hamba led to notable improvements in income, social status, health, and inde pendence for rural women, alongside broader community benefits such as enhanced school attendance and reduced gender-based violence. Based on the findings, the research underscores the necessity for customized business models combined with strategies to build trust and knowledge to foster sustainable technology adoption and usage. These insights offer practical implications to for profit companies and technology providers aiming to enhance mobility solutions for women in similar contexts, ultimately contributing to inclusive socio-economic development and gender equality in rural communitie. | |
| dc.identifier.coursecode | TEKX08 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12380/307881 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.setspec.uppsok | Technology | |
| dc.subject | electric tricycles | |
| dc.subject | gender equality | |
| dc.subject | long-term sustainable technology | |
| dc.subject | rural mobility | |
| dc.subject | rural development | |
| dc.subject | sub-Saharan Africa | |
| dc.subject | technology acceptance | |
| dc.subject | technology adoption | |
| dc.subject | technology usage | |
| dc.subject | UTAUT2 | |
| dc.title | Providing Women with Technology in Rural Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa A case study exploring the acceptance, usage, and effects of Electric Tricycles among Rural Women in Zimbabwe | |
| dc.type.degree | Examensarbete för masterexamen | sv |
| dc.type.degree | Master's Thesis | en |
| dc.type.uppsok | H | |
| local.programme | Management and economics of innovation (MPMEI), MSc | |
| local.programme | Quality and operations management (MPQOM), MSc |