Reducing the capability gap of small businesswomen with a disability with mobile devices and social media.

Graeme Johanson, Natasha Layton, Misita Anwar, Scott Bingley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This paper investigated the mobile phone and social media habits and behaviours of businesswomen living with disabilities, and identified effective uses of information and communications technologies. It explored the transformation of the work lives and home lives of Australian small businesswomen with a disability, and described how mobile devices reduced limitations imposed by disability.

The research employs qualitative research methodologies. A literature review informed the selection of theoretical frameworks with which to identify and explore the social, technical and business-related impacts of mobile technologies. These theories included the Capability Approach and the LIAISE Framework, within a grounded approach.
Mobile devices improved work and personal communications to the extent that they diminished disability to a secondary consideration in participants? lives, and they improved business efficiency. The LIAISE Framework was demonstrated to be a relevant tool for operationalising the enabling business features of mobile devices, and the broader digital sector is encouraged to take advantage of both theoretical frameworks in further research and
development work.

This paper investigated the mobile phone and social media habits and behaviours of businesswomen living with disabilities, and identified effective uses of information and communications technologies. It explored the transformation of the work lives and home lives of Australian small businesswomen with a disability, and described how mobile devices reduced limitations imposed by disability.

The research employs qualitative research methodologies. A literature review informed the selection of theoretical frameworks with which to identify and explore the social, technical and business-related impacts of mobile 21 technologies. These theories included the Capability Approach and the LIAISE Framework, within a grounded approach.
Mobile devices improved work and personal communications to the extent that they diminished disability to a secondary consideration in participants’ lives, and they improved business efficiency. The LIAISE Framework was demonstrated to be a relevant tool for operationalising the enabling business features of mobile devices, and the
broader digital sector is encouraged to take advantage of both theoretical frameworks in further research and development work.

An achievement of this research is that it used the pre-existing paradigms in fresh ways, extending them in the process. It also expands the very meagre amount of existing knowledge of the digital lives of small businesswomen with a disability.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication17th CIRN Conference 2019
EditorsLarry Stillman, Misita Anwar, Colin Rhinesmith, Vanessa Rhinesmith
Place of PublicationPrato Italy
PublisherMonash University
Pages20
Number of pages133
ISBN (Electronic)9780648518815
Publication statusPublished - 2019
EventCommunity Informatics Research Network Conference (CIRN) 2019 - Prato, Italy
Duration: 6 Nov 20198 Nov 2019
Conference number: 17th
https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/cirn-prato-2019/

Conference

ConferenceCommunity Informatics Research Network Conference (CIRN) 2019
Abbreviated titleCIRN 2019
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPrato
Period6/11/198/11/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • Small Business
  • Women
  • Disability
  • Social Media
  • Mobile Devices
  • Information And Communications Technologies
  • Assistive Technology
  • Australia

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