Supporting the Information Needs of Mobile Microentrepreneurs in the Developing World: The Case of Indonesian Food Cart Vendors

Posted by MarkWeingarten on Jan 12, 2011
Author: 
Dawood, Rahmad, Steven J. Jackson, and Jude Yew
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Dec 2010
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

This paper describes an ongoing research project exploring the business practices of mobile entrepreneurs, specifically mobile food vendors, and the potential use of location aware and mobile phone-based application to support their information needs. Mobile food vendors are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the developing world and can be seen hawking their wares in carts, bicycles, or motorcycles.

In this paper we report findings from 28 interviews around business practices, challenges, personal histories, and economic wellbeing among mobile food vendors and 10 of their customers from five major Indonesian cities. Based on these findings, we point to characteristics and features of a mobile phone-based application that will enable these vendors to advertise their current location, accept orders from customers, enable customers’ recommendation of vendors, and inform fellow vendors of various special events.

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Citation: 
Dawood, Rahmad, Steven J. Jackson, and Jude Yew. (2010) Supporting the Information Needs of Mobile Microentrepreneurs in the Developing World: The Case of Indonesian Food Cart Vendors, paper presented at ICTD2010, 13th-16th December 2010, Royal Holloway, University of London
Supporting the Information Needs of Mobile Microentrepreneurs in the Developing World: The Case of Indonesian Food Cart Vendors data sheet 1226 Views
Author: 
Dawood, Rahmad, Steven J. Jackson, and Jude Yew
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Dec 2010
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

This paper describes an ongoing research project exploring the business practices of mobile entrepreneurs, specifically mobile food vendors, and the potential use of location aware and mobile phone-based application to support their information needs. Mobile food vendors are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the developing world and can be seen hawking their wares in carts, bicycles, or motorcycles.

In this paper we report findings from 28 interviews around business practices, challenges, personal histories, and economic wellbeing among mobile food vendors and 10 of their customers from five major Indonesian cities. Based on these findings, we point to characteristics and features of a mobile phone-based application that will enable these vendors to advertise their current location, accept orders from customers, enable customers’ recommendation of vendors, and inform fellow vendors of various special events.

Countries: 
Upload Paper: 
Citation: 
Dawood, Rahmad, Steven J. Jackson, and Jude Yew. (2010) Supporting the Information Needs of Mobile Microentrepreneurs in the Developing World: The Case of Indonesian Food Cart Vendors, paper presented at ICTD2010, 13th-16th December 2010, Royal Holloway, University of London

I would like to know the

I would like to know the role of mobile for marginalized people in rural area of Indonesia. Farmers especially, but htere seems to be unavailable, therefore I'd like to study the street vendor as comparison..

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