This paper offers a systematic review of 14 studies
of the use of mobile telephony by micro and small enterprises
(MSEs) in the developing world, detailing findings about changes
to enterprises’ internal processes and external relationships, and
findings about mobile use vs. traditional landline use. Results
suggest that there is currently more evidence for the benefits of
mobile use accruing mostly (but not exclusively) to existing MSEs
rather than new MSEs, in ways that amplify existing material
and informational flows rather than transform them. The review
presents a more complete picture of mobile use by MSEs than
was previously available to ICTD researchers, and identifies
priorities for future research, including comparisons of the
impact of mobile use across subsectors of MSEs and assessments
of use of advanced services such as mobile banking and mobile commerce.
This paper offers a systematic review of 14 studies
of the use of mobile telephony by micro and small enterprises
(MSEs) in the developing world, detailing findings about changes
to enterprises’ internal processes and external relationships, and
findings about mobile use vs. traditional landline use. Results
suggest that there is currently more evidence for the benefits of
mobile use accruing mostly (but not exclusively) to existing MSEs
rather than new MSEs, in ways that amplify existing material
and informational flows rather than transform them. The review
presents a more complete picture of mobile use by MSEs than
was previously available to ICTD researchers, and identifies
priorities for future research, including comparisons of the
impact of mobile use across subsectors of MSEs and assessments
of use of advanced services such as mobile banking and mobile commerce.
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