Digital Global Public Goods

TL;DR

This paper defines digital global public goods (DGPGs), emphasizing the importance of contextual relevance in ICT4D projects, and illustrates this with a case study of health information systems to enhance socio-economic development.

Contribution

It develops a theoretical framework for DGPGs and demonstrates how aligning them with local contexts can improve development outcomes.

Findings

DGPGs have significant potential for socio-economic development.

Contextual relevance is crucial for the effectiveness of DGPGs.

Case study shows successful alignment of health information systems with local needs.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to define and conceptualize digital global public goods (DGPGs) and illustrate the importance of contextual relevance in ICT4D projects. Recent studies have examined the importance of digital artefacts with public goods traits, emphasizing the significant potential for socio-economic development. However, we know little about the theoretical and practical dimensions of how we can align the public goods traits of such artefacts to create relevance in the context they are implemented. To address this gap we review the literature firstly to develop a definition and conceptual basis of DGPGs and then to illustrate the importance of relevance: how to align DGPGs with context to meet local needs. The illustration draws from a case study of the District Health Information systems (DHIS2). The paper advances both the theoretical and practical understanding of DPGs in development processes.