Abstract
This research project investigated the impact of three different technologies (Biogas Plant, SHS & Cell Phones) on income, entrepreneurial activities, health, education, and quality of life in rural Bangladesh as well as the existing deprivations among rural families so that adequate policy implications can be implemented to further rural development. Rural Bangladesh is deprived of many resources, and utility services do not exist among others. State power has recently been deployed in rural areas, but power sustainability is a major issue. The three different technologies have provided electricity, cooking gas, and telecommunication services. The existing literature on the impact of the three technologies is almost nonexistent in rural Bangladesh. Findings from the impact of the three technologies have been positive but there are deprivations in several aspects of the quality of life.This project has contributed to the knowledge of the literature associated with technology, poverty, the Bottom of the pyramid (2004), and Diffusion of Innovations (1962) theory. The Bottom of the pyramid (2004) is the broader theory/concept in this research project which views the intervention of MNCs to be crucial for poverty alleviation. Findings show that innovation can better the lives or rural families, but technology has its limitations and can aid only to a certain extent. Similarly, the five innovation characteristics from the Diffusion of Innovation (1962) framework have been applied to the three technologies in this research project to analyze the state of diffusion, and findings show that all five characteristics have a positive relationship for cell phones but not all five are applicable for Biogas Technology and SHS.
| Date of Award | 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Geoffrey Whittam (Supervisor) & Anne Smith (Supervisor) |