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- Title
Technology to Toilets: Can Microfinance and IT Help Solve the World's Sanitation Crisis?
- Authors
Dayson, Karl; Sim, Jack
- Abstract
Approximately 2.5 billion people do not have access to a toilet: instead, they have no choice but to practice open defecation, having a potentially detrimental effect on their health. This paper asks whether microfinance and IT can play a role in tackling the problem. By drawing on experience from Grameen Telephone, the authors argue that this is analogous with attempts to promote the purchase of toilets, in particular the technological leap where expensive infrastructure is bypassed Based on three case studies, the authors show that such a processes is underway. Although a limited number of microfinance institutions (MFIs) are engaged in this market, it is insufficient to address the myriad of both organizational and cultural problems. However, the use of a prospective web portal may help create the environment for a viable market to emerge.
- Subjects
SANITATION -- International cooperation; HYGIENE; FINANCIAL services industry; TOILETS; MICROFINANCE; INFORMATION technology; GRAMEEN Telecom (Organization); WEB portals
- Publication
Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations, 2010, Vol 8, Issue 3, p49
- ISSN
1539-2937
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4018/jeco.2010070105