Exploring ICT as a Catalyst for Technological Adoption: Insights from Action Research

This research delves into the multifaceted challenges of open defecation and the constrained adoption of sanitation technology in rural Raichur villages, with a particular focus on Mamanathodi, Karnataka, India. Against a global backdrop where 3.6 billion lack improved sanitation, the study employs Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies, emphasizing the pivotal role of community-led initiatives customized to local norms. Beyond presumptions that infrastructure alone eradicates open defecation, the study illuminates socio-economic factors such as financial constraints, water scarcity, and cultural beliefs contributing to its persistence in Mamanathodi. The interdisciplinary team’s immersive ten-day experience, deploying PRA tools and observational techniques, brings forth nuanced insights. The research integrates demographic data, field observations, PRA tools, and scenario analyses. Proposing an ICT architecture for social change, the study advocates for data-driven, stakeholder-engaged, and convergent approaches. The envisioned architecture promises efficient data collection, stakeholder empowerment, information convergence, and cost-effective, scalable interventions. In conclusion, the paper presents recommendations urging policymakers to enhance stakeholder engagement and ensure the sustained longevity of sanitation initiatives, contributing significantly to the discourse on rural public health and hygiene practices.