Abstract of the Master's Thesis
Tuulia Virhiä, Heikki Hämmäinen, Matti Hämäläinen · 2010
The design framework is based on a literature review and case studies. The literature review includes analyses of the recent modeling and framework activities in the area. Moreover, other relevant topics in mobile services, such as diffusion, usage, and finance are covered. The analysis uses a qualitative approach. The thesis includes two projects as case studies. In these mobile services are being developed for rural areas of Kenya and Liberia. The projects are currently in their initial testing phases aiming at starting pilots during the first half of the year 2010. The case study data has been gathered by using semi-structured theme interviews and grounded theory approach has been used to analyze the data. The design framework is built on four key findings. First, it is important to get users involved into the service creation processes, because of the knowledge they possess about themselves and their living environments. Second, a trusted third party is needed to share the resources between the users and the professionals. This is important, as the lack of resources or knowledge can hinder the service development for the both parties. Third, local involvement from the start is important in service creation processes for services to reach sustainability. This could help the knowledge base to grow in the locals regions and eventually give more opportunities for the poor. Finally, a flexible service platform instead of specific service would make the service development faster and more efficient, providing more opportunities for the local actors to develop services for their real needs.