Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

School

School of Computer and Information Science

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Dr Chaiyaporn Chirathamjaree

Second Supervisor

Professor Anthony Watson

Abstract

Following the economic downturn in the late 1990s the Government of Thailand restructured the economy resulting in rapid economic recovery. The society now needs developments to project it into the Information Age. This study is but one creative response to this need. To initiate the study, an extensively validated Questionnaire was implemented with a snowball sample comprising 500 representative, non-randomised respondents from the four provinces of the Inpeng Community Network (ICN). The purpose of the Questionnaire was to ascertain levels of information needs and local knowledge, and to identify ten local experts from ICN for subsequent In-depth Interviews. Data obtained in this way were analysed then classified into a retrievable form of knowledge. A model community information database system (CIDS) was then designed, installed and trialled with a convenience sample of 165 variously prepared respondents using computers in six CLC. Semi-structured Interviews then provided additional data on information needs and refinement of the model CIDS. Respondents saw this refined CIDS as having the potential to be emulated by other rural communities, and in particular, to be a valuable technological tool suitable for dissemination throughout ICN. Respondents believed that community development and empowerment would be enhanced by CIDS, enabling individual problems to be dealt with effectively, and sustainable development to be achieved.

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