Information and communication technologies constitute the necessary means for Senegal which is a developing country, to reach the stage of the industrial development and leapfrog into the information society. The implementation and use of information technology has to be regarded in the broader perspective of development cooperation. Today, no policy of development can be outlined without reference to information technologies as important tool (Beer-Gabel, 1989). The vital question which needs to be asked is: Can Senegal evolve successful transition strategies to absorb the new technology in its socio-cultural context?

Even if goals and strategies of development are well outlined, the transfer of new technologies only is no guarantee of success (Mackenzie Owen, 1989). In this paper we will look in particular at the micro-level stage and investigate how the socio-cultural reality of developing countries (in this case Senegal) affects this acceptance of new information technologies.

2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Information technology (IT) can be seen as a supportive instrument that is to be integrated into the proposed means of development. IT as such possesses a number of intrinsic qualities which lend it an added advantage superior to the other technologies. Rationally speaking, microcomputers offer novel possibilities only because of their low cost and nearly unlimited computer potential. But IT comprises much more. It is a means to generate better and faster data, and to store and exchange information; and it offers the possibility to add structurally to an accrued fount of knowledge in a developing country like Senegal.

Knowledge is of essence in every sector and at every level of society. On the level of decision-making and policy analysis the needs are evident. According to Chander (1990), the continued dearth of data necessary to lay down and describe the demographic, social and economic situation, constitute a severe handicap to development as there is no reference point to start from. In order to improve the situation, one should first explore the use of IT thoroughly. This need is equally felt by specialists of fields other than information study. For example, archeologists point out the advantage of using information technology and setting up relevant databases for upkeeping and maintaining the natural and cultural heritage. Even among those who generally oppose to modernization, we can hear praises regarding the use of information technology in enhancing the quality of needed information services. Many international databases are available and some are specially developed for developing countries to ensure that one does not have to reinvent the wheel.

The link with culture thus becomes a two-sided problem: We have a western-type technology on one hand, but for another the information or knowledge element cannot be seen out of the local context. According to Prigogine and Latour (1981), science constitutes an essential part of the culture it develops (without demanding mutual influences). Elmandjra points out that cultural values stimulate scientific thought as well as creativity and innovation. Some authors (Klitgaard, 1992) therefore advocate an endogenous basis for science and technology since improvements in the realm of emancipation work only by way of minimal level of autonomous options to generate and adapt scientific knowledge, transform it into technology and incorporate this technology - in reference to scientific discoveries - into productive and service-oriented activities. This should not necessarily lead to antagonizing factions: The fruits of modern scientific acquisitions could be integrated harmoniously within the cultural heritage framework of western societies. The keyword here is compatibility. The essential question for the ultimate part of the query is if and how information technology - because of its potentiality - can be rendered compatible with an extraneous culture by way of implementation.

For the last decade, international organizations have been inducing strategies of export-oriented growth within the framework of structural adjustment programs. In development policy, information technology is considered to provide the new potential to leapfrog into the information society. Cultural aspects are not taken into consideration.

It should be pointed out that all efforts thus far have not succeeded in narrowing the gap between the poor and rich countries. According to the 1992 Annual Report of the United Nation's Development Program (UNDP), the gap has in fact doubled in 30 years times. A closer look at the present policy does not seem to indicate much of a change. Development is still based on the economic imperative whereas the problematic link between technology and culture is not seriously taken into account.

3. TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE

I would like to start with a 'simple' example -- the use of gas stoves as a new cooking tool in Senegal -- to demonstrate the importance of cultural aspects in any technology applications. It appears from the subsequent analysis of the example that this simplicity is not apparent: Every technological introduction or technological change is in itself a complex phenomenon. In the final analysis, the mode of reasoning is also applied to information technology.

3.1. Technology Practice: An illustration

Around 1975, the Senegalese Government wanted to promote the use of gas stoves in urban dwellings, gradually to replace the charcoal stoves until then widely used. The Government's decision to promote the use of the gas stove was based on two considerations:

• the extensive use of charcoal would contribute to deforestation; and

• the country produced an excess of butane gas which could be utilized.

Therefore, in 1975/76 an intensive campaign was conducted to induce the people to buy and use gas stoves. The gas stove was presented as modern, clean and fast; in short the preferable thing to have and to use. As a result, quite a few people did buy gas stoves.

However, the gas stove had at least one important drawback for its Senegalese users -- it could hardly be used for the preparation of traditional tea. Apparently, the stoves were such that the flame level could not be properly regulated. Serving good tea to the family and especially to guests is a very important aspect of social life. It was felt that tea could only be properly prepared on charcoal fire. Thus the desire to prepare good tea and the desire to use the 'modern' gas stove soon came into conflict. In fact, many people kept the gas stove as a piece of furniture in the house without using it. In addition, there was also the fear of accidents.

3.2. Technology Practice: An Analysis

What I wish to make clear by way of this example is that an "integrated appreciation of technology practice" constitutes a concerted action between technology, policy, environment and culture.

In the case of gas stoves, the technological innovation is promoted from a rationally felt need and the available resources. The policy succeeds in its first aim, which is to introduce technology to the people. The professional and systematic approach, and the accompanying rhetoric of 'modern, clean and fast' bears fruit. Later it becomes apparent that the policy has missed its ultimate aim, which is that technology is not used to solve defined "ecological needs". On the face of it, a practical problem is involved: The flame cannot be regulated and the gas stove can thus only be used to a limited extent. Elsewhere, there was also a mention of fear...

Practical problems can cover up a whole array of deeper problems:

• First, these are possible administration, policy/or training problems, such as:

The Senegalese Government promoted the use of gas stoves out of ecological (environmental) considerations but did not take into account an important cultural practice such as tea ritual (level 1). The benefit derived from the gas stoves and the concurrent policy, advocating "modern" values was then mainly in terms of a modern "furniture", and much less in terms of a practical appliance (level 2). Precisely the totality of environment, policy and technology, referring to "modernity", could lead to cultural change in the longer term (level 3).

The technology practice, as described above, can be interpreted as the outcome of this three-tier dynamic.

4. CONCLUSION

Since IT is an imported technology and technology is not believed to be culturally neutral, its relation with culture was questioned. However, because of the intrinsic qualities of information technology, its presence is necessary for a country's development. Import of new technologies should therefore not be rejected. On the other hand information technologies are not to be considered as magical devices that generate development. Simultaneous efforts are required in other areas. But because of its potential, it is important that information technology be consciously implemented.
 
 

REFERENCES

Beer-Gabel, J. (1989). Computers and the third world today. The Courier, No. 113.

Chander, R. (1990). Information Systems and Basic Statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank Discussion Paper No. 73. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Klitgaard, R. (1992). Taking culture in account: from 'lets' to 'how'. Paper presented at the International Conference on Culture and Development in Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Latour, B. and S. Woolgar. (1981). The Social Construction of Scientific Facts. London: Sage.

Mackenzie Owen, J.S. (1989). Innovation in the Information Chain. The Effects of Technological Development on the Provision of Scientific and Technological Information. London.
 
 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bhatnagar, S.C. Information Technology and Socio-Economic Development: Some Strategies for Developing Countries. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.

Bhatnagar, S.C. and Mayuri Odedra. (1992). Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.

Van Ryckeghem, D. (1994). Information technology in an African context. Paper presented at the 13th World Congress of Sociology, Bielfeld, February 18-24, 1994.