1. IT Social Outsourcing Outsourcing IT Services to Micro-Enterprises in Poor Communities in India
Richard Heeks & Shoba Arun
Centre for Development Informatics
University of Manchester, UK
Centre for Development Informatics

2. Research Overview
Research Aim: What is the development impact of IT social outsourcing?
Research Undertaken: Impact assessment using livelihoods framework of IT social outsourcing project in Kerala, India

3. Research Findings
Academic Finding: IT social outsourcing develops human, financial, physical, social and political capital for below-poverty-line women
Practical Recommendation: Expand IT social outsourcing programmes of government and business organisations
Human Capital: Building IT and Entrepreneurial Skills
Political Capital: Empowerment; Confidence; Status; Gender Relations?
Financial Capital: US$1 per Day; Welfare Expenditure
Physical Capital: One PC per Member
Social Capital: Government Officials; Enterprise Group
Sustainability?
Longevity
Member Replacement
(Limited) Diversification
Assets Remain

4. Further Information
Social outsourcing as a development tool, Journal of International Development, forthcoming