Digital inclusion requires a business model too: Sustainability analysis of value webs in rural Sarawak

Abstract

In this paper we discuss how to improve business sustainability of services for digital inclusion through value modeling and analysis using the e3-value method. Two questions come up: is this method understandable and useful in practice for ICT4D practitioners and developers, and is this method instrumental for development of sustainable services for digital inclusion? To answer this, three ICT4D student projects were carried out, that aim to improve digital inclusion in communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. Results show that the e3-value method is easy to learn and use in practice. It is instrumental (i) for visual conceptualization, facilitating discussion and co-construction of different business scenarios; (ii) it allows to assess potential profitability in the value web; (iii) for optimization of the system design (iv) to analyse strengths and weaknesses in the value network in terms of digital inclusion.