CCT333+Weekly+Lab+Response+Question+3


 * LAB 3 - Human-Centred Design Case Study of Cellphones in Developing Countries

1****)In three paragraphs, describe the role of Jan Chipchase in defining the role of cellphones in the developing world for Nokia, and the benefits of analyzing and defining their use in different cultures as part of their market expansion.** Jan Chipchase is part of the Nokia cell phone company and is working as a human - behaviour researcher. His role is to travel to different developing countries and view what kind of cell phone will benefit them according to their lifestyle. He travels to different areas and homes and tries to analyze how a cell phone would help them out. This human- behaviour information that he gathers is then sent back to the company's headquarters where he makes Power Point presentations based on the needs and wants of different cultures so that the company can learn from it in order to custom design cell phones for them that will improve their safety and lifestyle.

Chipchase claims that people in the developing worlds do not have the same needs compared to developed countries. The essential needs such as food, water, shelter, health and education are survival needs and a cell phone designed in relation to these needs is exactly what Chipchase tries to do. For example, a successful and useful cell phone for these people in the developing countries can be one with a hook attached to it so that it doesn't get ruined during intense seasonal rain along with having them not carry it in a plastic bag anymore. Chipchase comes up with this idea by simply observing one household and their relationship with the cell phone.

Since Chipchase also states that the cell phone can be linked to one's identity and become the only form of technology that can prove one's identity it is important to analyze how the phone can help an individual personally and more importantly, economically. He gives an example of a a rural poor area (Hanoi) when the the streets are filled with individuals and their produce, giving them to the vegetable stall guys. Chipchase claims that the produce individuals will no longer have to wait till the next time they go to town to get their money from the vegetable stall guy, because they can easily be paid the very next day through the cell phone. Understanding the cultures and listening to their needs is what will definitely bring a successful future for Nokia. For they aren't implementing their company on them since they understand the financial status. Nokia is simply and essentially letting these developing countries micro-finance themselves.

****2) How does the idea of microfinance support two of the key themes of sustainability as outlined in the diagram posted on your class wiki '5 Key Themes for Sustainability'? Write one paragraph for each of your chosen theme****s.

Micro - financing supports "living within environmental limits" by allowing the people of the country to know the limits of exploiting natural resources or damaging the environment. Since they are the ones living in the country, they will be knowledgeable in knowing how to make an income without exploiting the resources, hence promoting sustainability. For if a foreign company was implementing their practices on the country's resources and environment, they probably won't exactly be that aware or even care that they are being destructive since their overall goal would be the process of capitalism.

Micro-financing ensures "a strong, healthy and just society" by letting people with different needs to fulfill these actual needs. Promoting personal well-being will enhance the overall health and attitude of individuals which may then result in less stress and less hatred hence civil wars can possibly decrease. The fact that individuals are working in order to enhance their own lifestyle gives an incentive for them because they know that whatever their doing (job wise) will improve their lifestyle rather than feeling like they are taken advantage of if they were to work for a foreign company. The society can essentially become just because everyone is given the opportunity to work in a comfortable setting where they aren't foreign to a job and forced to work, which is what will benefit the society in the end. **