uusi - conference presentation

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 sammismi@gmail.com Marlon Parker parkerm@cput.ac.za

Terence Hendricks terenece@rlabs.org