uusi - conference presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Samantha SmithMarlon ParkerTerence Hendricks
The use of mobile technologyto address unemployment
In the Western Cape
Overview
• Introduction
• Key Points
• Unemployment
• The Uusi Employment Project
• Research Methodology
• Findings
• Discussion of Findings
• Recommendations and Conclusions
Introduction• South Africa is considered one of the highest of the
African countries with high mobile penetration.
(Rashid and Elder, 2009).
• Voice communication and data services are the dominant
use of mobile technology (Jarvenpaa and Lang, 2005).
• Cost is a deciding factor when considering
to adopt mobile technology and the
mobile internet.
• Mobile phones have been widely accepted by all communities in
South Africa.
• Mobile phones are currently used effectively as a tool to
empower communities in South Africa.
• Prepaid Subscriptions have made mobile phones
accessible to lower income populations.
Introduction…
Key Points
• A user’s perception is influenced by their experience with the
technology and the services provided through the technology.
• Users find ways to incorporate their mobile phones into their
daily lives.
•The mobile phone has, in some cases, replaced land lines.
Unemployment
KZN WP RSA NC FS GP MP LP EC NW
Percentage increase/decrease from Q4: 2008 to Q4: 2009
- 1.5 + 4.6 +2.4 +3.3 +2.7 +5 +3.5 -2 +1.8 +1.3
• The South African market is generally dispersed and specialised in nature.
• Most employment prospects are found in high-density centres.
Table 1: Percentage increase/decrease from Quarter 4 2008 to Quarter 4 2009
• Uusi, a Reconstructed Living Lab (RLabs) initiative, aims to
provide communities with an effective means to find job
opportunities that meet their specification at their fingertips.
• Usability and simplicity is of high importance.
• Advertise and search for job opportunities,
free of charge.
The Uusi employment project
Research MethodologyMain Objective :
• Determine whether there is an opportunity to use mobile
technology to address the unemployment in the Western Cape. Qualitative Approach: Interviews with unemployed
community members from
Bridgetown, Athlone.
• Interview Aim:
• Determine if and how mobile internet services are used.
• Determine whether unemployed communities would make
use of a job opportunity mobile internet service.
Research Methodology
Findings
• Uusi Feedback:
• Easy to use and navigate
• Clear Content
• “What I am looking for”
• Job opportunity searching is almost endless in most cases.
• Ranging from a few months to up to 4 years.
• All interviewees have access to a mobile phone with mobile
internet.
Findings…• The interviewees all access the mobile internet on a daily
basis, varying in hours a day.
• Common medium for job opportunity searching was the newspaper.
• Common employment type interviewees’
look for is a permanent job.
• Job security is important to support
family.
Discussion of findings
• Suggestions for future Uusi additions:
• Advanced search options.
• User tips for CV writing and personal skill development.
• Interviewees favourite features:
SMS notification system.
Save time and money for users.
• Availability of service on the mobile internet.
• Very convenient.
Recommendations and conclusion
• Drastic increase of mobile technology adoption
within South Africa.
• Information can now be accessed anywhere,
at anytime from the palm of peoples’ hands.
• Social ills facing the Western Cape
may very well be linked to
unemployment.
Recommendations and conclusion…
• High unemployment rates and mobile phone
penetration has lead the development of Uusi.
• If Uusi is proven to be a success in the
Western Cape, then an opportunity
exists to expand it’s services to other
regions of South Africa.
Questions?
Contact Details:
Samantha Smith [email protected] Marlon Parker [email protected]
Terence Hendricks [email protected]