OUTSOURCING TO FURTHER HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN CAMBODIA AND LAOS

摘要

This paper assesses a nonprofit social enterprise - Digital Divide Data (DDD), which outsources information technologies (IT) work to Cambodia and Laos -for what can be learned about human and community development in such a case. The evaluation reveals that DDD increases the knowledge base and skills of enhances social networks of, provides a secure financial base for, and promotes self-determination of the marginalized youth it employs. In turn, it furthers community development within the communities from which its workers derive. Rather than a drain on resources, this model of outsourcing addresses the digital divide by providing access and work opportunities to those who are have-nots in the information society.