Telecentre-Europe Summit 2012 - Keynote Presentation of Maria Garrido: "Past and present of Telecentres - their demonstrated value"

1. Past and Present of Telecentres
Their demonstrated value
Telecentre-Europe Summit
Warsaw, 2012
Maria Garrido and Araba Sey
European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
• Build a landscape of theories that explain how, why,
and under which conditions e-Inclusion actors
contribute to advance social and economic goals.
• Analyze the value of these theories and analytical
frameworks and the evidence of impact.
• Develop recommendations on the most promising
theoretical pillars that could inform MIREIA project.

3. HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED
LANDSCAPE OF THE LITERATURE IN LAST 10 YEARS
• English academic and grey literature sources
• Over 400 articles, books, and reports reviewed
• Identified the most dominant explanations and
those with potential to explain how the work of e-
Inclusion actors produces impact or not
• 200+ sources selected for in-depth coding

4. SOME CONSIDERATIONS
• Different perceptions of what constitutes
impact
• Difficulty in isolating the effects of ICT-related
to other activities provided by intermediaries
• Importance of contextual factors in explaining
impact

5. DEFINING CATEGORIES OF IMPACT
1. Skilling: improvement of ICT skills and capabilities,
leading to better opportunities in labor market
2. Empowerment: enhancement of confidence and
motivation for learning and aspiration to improve
3. Networking: strengthening network ties and
outreach potential increasing opportunities for
socio-economic participation.
4. Job-placement capabilities: facilitate information
access on job opportunities to actively participate in
local economic development

6. SKILLING

7. EVIDENCE ON SKILLING
• ICT skills training allows lower skilled workers to
develop technical skills increasing competitiveness in
labor market
• Combined with other employment-related services
(job interview skills, connection to employers,
internships, etc.)
• ICT skills training function as a catalyst to develop
other critical skills that are highly valued in the labor
market.
• Basic ICT skills training often functions as a lure for
participants to engage in either additional ICT skills
courses or in other types of training.

8. EMPOWERMENT

9. EVIDENCE ON EMPOWERMENT
• Motivation for participating in ICT skills training,
participants often cite aspirations related to
employment as major benefits.
• Participants feel that ICT training can expand their
employment horizons into areas previously
considered out of reach.
• Shared perception that ICT skills are very important
to get better jobs, improve income, and learn more
advanced technology skills or other kinds of skills.
• Training provided not only builds human capital but
enhances the “capacity of aspire” expanding
professional horizons, self-esteem, and autonomy.

10. NETWORKING

11. EVIDENCE ON NETWORKING
• E-Inclusion intermediaries are often the most
valuable channel for finding employment after family
and friends.
• Important bridges for expanding and diversifying
social relations and job channels
• Means to connect to the outside world through
technology and social networks and actively support
community development

12. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
• How do we define impact? For whom and for what?
• What levels and combination of services e-Inclusion
actors are needed to contribute to impact?
• Evidence on impact is fragmented so what do we do as
advocates, researchers, and program implementers?
• How do we reach some level of systematization of future
evidence? Pros and Cons
• How do we draw a map of this all inclusive category of
eInclusion intermediaries?

13. Thank You!
Maria Garrido, Research Assistant Professor Araba Sey, Research Assistant Professor
Information School Information School
migarrid@uw.edu arabasey@uw.edu
Twitter: @mariaigarrido
Luis Santana, PhD Student
Tabitha Hart, PhD Student
Communications Department
Communications Department
Technology & Social Change Group
University of Washington Information School
tascha.uw.edu
+1.206.616.9101