Resumen de Capacity Strengthening within a Development Context: Developing and Applying a Conceptual Model

Arunima S Mukherjee

• This paper aims at answering two research questions. The first concerns understanding Sen’s distinction between human capital and human capability in the context of capacity strengthening of a hospital information systems context in the public health sector context of a State in India. The second concerns developing a conceptual model that can help to apply this distinction. To answer these questions, a process model has been developed which describes capacity strengthening to go through three stages – understanding the artefact; applying the technology to the context of use – called the “capacity for use”; and, applying the knowhow to other domains (outside the work sphere) which the user may value – called the “capacity for exchange”. These three stages involve different modes of capacity strengthening, and takes place within an institutional context, shaped by existing structures. The paper makes at least three key contributions. Firstly, in conceptualizing capacity strengthening as a process, it goes beyond typical models that emphasize cascade training approaches. A second contribution concerns going beyond the primary focus on skill development which most such projects have, and emphasizing the role of mentoring in developing capacity for exchange. The third and most important contribution is that it puts ICTs capacity strengthening within a broader development context, to emphasize the value of such projects to help improve the quality of development outcomes.