International Journal of Business Management & Research (IJBMR) ISSN 2249-6920 Vol.

3, Issue 1, Mar 2013, 75-96 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

IT AS A SOURCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREASAKSHAYA PROJECT IN THE STATE OF KERALA, INDIA
CHALLA RADHAKUMARI Associate Professor, Dept. of Management and Commerce, SSSIHL, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT
Recognizing the potential of broadband services, the government of Kerala in India, has taken a big leap by leveraging broadband application to the rural areas, through a unique and integrated project called Akshaya. The study is undertaken to identify the initiatives made by the administrators in implementing the project and to analyze the unique contribution the project is making to the entrepreneurship development. The study also highlights the associated features and improvements that occurred both internally and externally; besides bringing to focus the critical success factors which created the necessary environment for entrepreneurship development.

KEYWORDS: Digital Divide, Akshaya Project, Critical Success Factors INTRODUCTION

Information Technology (IT) is revolutionizing every sphere of our life. Today, IT applications permeate almost every human activity - education, health, agriculture, community development, business, governance, handling natural disasters, to name a few. The newly developed IT has all the attributes of imparting added value to governance leading to efficient, participative and just governance. IT driven governance is called electronic governance or e-Governance. Many countries including India have already employed IT for governance and thereby improved the system of administration and delivery of services to citizens. The demand for technological progress is constantly growing. Advances in information technology have held out the possibility of a rural renaissance. Even the resource-poor and non-literate women and their organizations are aware of the power of Information and Communication Technologies and their processes, and are using them to advance their basic needs and strategic interests, so as to improve their livelihoods, and achieve their human rights. The new ICTs are also recognized as powerful tools to overcome discrimination, achieve full equality, well-being and participation in the decisions that determine their lives and the future of their communities. But many ICT and developmental projects are facing the challenge of reaching out to the poor people who live in rural areas, particularly the women. Therefore the localities are planning to upgrade their current IT infrastructure and are preparing to install new infrastructure in consideration, to meet the future needs of their citizens. Current generation Information Technologies do not meet the high bandwidth requirements for emerging applications that combine voice, video and data transmission. Therefore, new broadband technologies have evolved which are enabling new forms of communication to become a reality throughout the world. These new technologies are making the world realize that broadband is an accelerator of economic development. The emerging broadband applications led by businesses, and government users, are the real drivers of economic, technological and the overall societal growth, particularly in rural areas. Since physical infrastructure and geography are vastly different from locality to locality, it is up to each locality to determine the technologies that best meet its needs. Keeping the requirements of the locality is essential as technology that

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works well in one geographic area may not work as well in another. Therefore the most important factor that cuts across every region is that which is known as broadband technology which enables many applications that provide enormous benefits to citizens. One such benefit the deployment of broadband is conferring on its citizens, particularly in rural areas, is its contribution to entrepreneurship development. Entrepreneurship Development Entrepreneurship is a distinct factor of production that contributes to the economic development of an economy. The wide range of significant contributions that entrepreneurship makes to the economic development include promotion of capital formation, creation of employment, effective mobilization of capital and skill, induction of backward and forward linkages that stimulate the process of economic development. Promoting entrepreneurship implies developing people with a vision and drive for achievement; and the ability to bear risk. An entrepreneur is considered as a spark plug that can transform the entire economy. Therefore entrepreneurship development has become a matter of great concern in all developed and developing countries, all over the world. It is in this context the present research paper assumes greater importance. Entrepreneurship provides an important avenue for expanding the economies of developing countries. Although capital is needed to kick-start entrepreneurial endeavors, an understanding of the marketplace, application of sound business practices, and effective technology use can help entrepreneurs put investments to good use. IT and Entrepreneurship development Now the route to a fully operational e-governance is just emerging. Therefore IT is also employed as a potential source for generating employment across all locations in the society including rural areas. In the initial stages of its evolution IT deployment was confined only to metros, and has gradually moved to urban areas, and now it is time that it is spread to rural areas. As a result, the manpower resources available in these centers get opportunities thrown up by these developments. Transformation of the rural citizens from ignorant to Aware categories is making them conscious of the role the IT is playing in improving the quality of their life and, therefore, there is a growing demand for online services and information that increases democratic participation, accountability, transparency, and the quality and speed of

services. Entrepreneurship Development takes the route in the form of people in the rural areas taking to these activities and developing them into a sustainable business propositions. The major driving force for this transformation being the dawn of realization among the public that they will be left behind the train of development, if they do not accept the flow of benefits on account of these developments. The purpose of the present paper is to examine the potential of IT in creating entrepreneurial opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas, and to highlight the role the entrepreneurs are playing in harnessing the available opportunities.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The roots of ICTs for development lie in the 1970s assertion that economies and societies were being revolutionized not by industry but by the information and knowledge that were critical to securing the means of production ( Bell 1973). On average women have less income, education, time, mobility and face religious or cultural constraints that restrict their access to and use of technology. More accurately, some groups of women (i.e. rural women) are more disadvantaged as compared to younger, more literate or wealthier urban women. Added to this, totalizing theories of gender and technology risk ignoring the reality that women (and men) are indivisible from modern-day science (Haraway 1990).

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Some analysts have argued for a focus on digital opportunities rather than a digital divide which incorrectly assumes that, in general, developing countries are falling behind the industrialized nations in terms of ICTs per capita, (Hafkin 2006). The gap between haves and have-nots is historically wide in absolute terms, but not in relative terms as developing countries show faster rates of growth in network development than developed countries (Fink and Kenny 2003). Still other analysts like Modoux (2002) are convinced that there is a digital divide and it is a cyber ghetto where even increasing growth rates in the adoption of ICTs is characterized by higher costs and often lower quality equipment and service. Thus, a plethora of research in the past two decades has focused on the relationship between IT investment and productivity in general. Although earlier studies generally found no relationship, the consensus among more recent studies is that IT investment has a positive and significant effect on labor productivity and economic growth. It is now well known that the sectors of the economy that have invested the most in information technology experienced some of the largest productivity gains during the 1990s and that the application of information technologies has stimulated remarkable improvements in production processes in many sectors of the economy. In contrast to the literature on IT investments and firm productivity, we know very little about the role of IT in entrepreneurship development. At some level, studies have concluded that personal computers are useful for most small businesses. Estimates from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finances indicate that more than 75 percent of small businesses used computers (Bitler, Robb and Wolken 2001, and Bitler 2002), and estimates from the 2000 Computer and Internet Usage Supplement (CIUS) and the Current Population Survey (CPS) indicate high rates of computer ownership among self-employed business owners (U.S. Small Business administration 2003). Some studies also reveal that small- and medium-sized businesses make relatively large investments in computers and communication equipment (Buckley and Montes 2002) and that 25 to 45 percent of total capital expenditures are for computers among relatively young employer firms (Haltiwanger 2004). Although these patterns suggest that personal computers are useful for small businesses, an unanswered question in the literature is whether the information technology has any effect on the earliest possible stage of business creation i.e. the individual's decision to become an entrepreneur, particularly in rural areas. In other words, how far information technologies are contributing to entrepreneurshipdevelopment particularly in rural areas. One approach to exploring this hypothesis is to analyze that if given an opportunity for generation of employment in a developing area, what is the likelihood that an individual chooses to become an entrepreneur. Theoretically, we might expect that exposure to current technology may make it substantially easier for a potential entrepreneur to create an experimental business plan, obtain information about various possibilities, establish worldwide links, get information about legal regulations, learn about specific industries, and research competition. Further, the skills acquired from the established business using the current technology, such as familiarity with using computers and related issues like knowledge about using spreadsheets, word processing and database programs, may be valuable for creating and managing a business, and other specific computer skills, such as programming, graphics design, and hardware knowledge, may be especially valuable for creating firms in hitech industries. Therefore the time has come to understand whether we are laying any foundation for initiating hi-tech industries in rural areas.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

There is growing evidence of a significant causal relationship between entrepreneurship, economic growth and poverty reduction. Small and micro entrepreneurs are often the backbone of the private sector in the developing world, creating jobs and providing a tax base for local government. And frequently these small entrepreneurs offer the only

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employment available to number of poor people. Yet many developing countries have been unable to create and maintain the favorable environment needed to foster entrepreneurship development. Therefore the time has come for the developing countries to provide opportunities for the potential entrepreneurs to execute their ideas and buildsuccessfulbusinesses. Entrepreneurship support offers a new model for fighting poverty in rural areas and ensuring economic growth; and it has come to the forefront of activities to bridge the digital divide and deliver development aid. A significant number of ground-level initiatives are already underway. There are also several high-level initiatives in planning that may result in considerable resources being devoted to entrepreneurship support. The needs of this crucial sector must be understood to frame an effective and sustainable approach to modern development aid. Entrepreneurships support initiatives (ESIs) come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they offer a range of services to entrepreneurs. Since it is time to take stock of the concrete efforts made by the developing countries in the direction of the contribution of information technology to the entrepreneurship development, the present study assumes its relevance and significance. Though numerous attempts are being made to analyze the impact of IT investment in building close rapport between the government and citizens, in improving the delivery of services, and the quality of citizens lives in general, but little has been done to understand more about the role of Information technology in contributing to the entrepreneurship development in rural areas. Therefore the present paper examines the influence of IT investment on entrepreneurship development in rural areas, through a case study i.e. the Akshaya project of the State of Kerala.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study is undertaken to address the following objectives. To highlight the functioning of the Akshaya project, a unique experimentation with the broadband for bridging the digital divide. Highlight the role of Private entrepreneurs in the overall implementation of the project, including the method of their selection, training. To study the role of the Akshaya project in facilitating entrepreneurship development among the educated unemployed in the rural areas. It is also intended as a report to the various national and international agencies and researchers to highlight salient features of the Akshaya project and its impact on entrepreneurship development through information technology.

METHODOLOGY
The Akshaya project of the State of Kerala, a unique initiative that is notably successful, innovative, and representative, is selected to illustrate the kind of entrepreneurship service initiatives originated as ancillary products of the implementation of Akshaya project. The project is selected mainly because the implementation of the project has laid foundation for entrepreneurship development in the districts, though the basic idea of its implementation is to bridge the digital divide through introduction of e-literacy to every nook and corner of the rural areas. We have covered a range of programmes - from local community initiatives to large State level efforts all of which are akin to the international initiatives for bridging the digital divide. The project is gaining the prominence and proving to be an effective model. For the purpose of collection of data, two districts i.e. Malappuram, where the project is first implemented on a pilot basis and Calicut, where the project is rolled out during the second phase of implementation are chosen.

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A specially drafted questionnaire (Annex-II Questionnaire for govt. officials) was served to the District Secretary, Akshaya State Project Cell, Malappuram, who represents the Kerala Government in the implementation of the Akshaya project.

Information was collected from 100 private entrepreneurs selected at random at the rate of 50 from each of the two districts who are actively involved in the implementation of the project as private partners to the project. A questionnaire, developed for the purpose was administered to the selected entrepreneurs and the information thus gathered was used for statistical analysis (Annex III- questionnaire for private entrepreneurs).

Information was also gathered from both the govt. officials and the private entrepreneurs, besides the IT mission which is the nodal agency for implementation of information technology in the State of Kerala.

DATA SOURCES
The study is based on both primary and secondary data. The private entrepreneurs and the government officials concerned with the implementation of the project mainly constituted the data source for primary data. The Akshaya projects policy proposal and the other documented information supplied by the IT Mission of the Kerala State became the secondary data source.

STATISTICAL TOOLS
Since the purpose is to compare two districts in terms of their contribution to entrepreneurship development, comparison is made on the basis of two statistics i.e. a) Proportions and b) Means. Since the sample size is large i.e. greater than 30, we used the large sample statistic Z for testing both statistics depending on the nature of the questions and the type of responses i.e. a) Z test for testing the significant difference between the two proportions and b) Z test for testing the significant difference between the two means. Z critical values are 1.96 and 2.58 at 5% and 1% level of significance for all tests. Based on Z calculated values, the respective hypotheses are accepted or rejected. Since the purpose is to analyze the factors contributing to entrepreneurship development in the areas, the following hypotheses are framed. Null hypotheses ( H 0 ): The difference in the mean scores of the incomes earned by the entrepreneurs before joining the Akshaya project is not significant. (Annex-1Table--1) There is no change in the income levels between pre and post Akshaya project periods. (Annex-1Table--2) There is no relation between the quantum of investment made in the project and the source of investment. (Annex1Table--3) There is no significant difference in the opinion expressed regarding the recovery of loans. (Annex-1Table--4) Nature of occupation before joining the project and the capacity to make current investment in the project are not associated. (Annex-1Table--5) Quantum of investment made in the project does not influence the percentage recovery of the amount. (Annex1Table--6) There is no association between the quantum of investment made in the project and the estimation regarding the future recovery of investment. (Annex-1Table--7)

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The occupation of the entrepreneurs prior to joining the project does not influence their source of knowledge about the project. (Annex-1Table--8)

The place of origin of the entrepreneurs does not influence the source of information about the project. (Annex1Table-9)

Ownership of the assets prior to the project has no influence on their awareness about the amount of investment to be made in the project. (Annex-1Table--10)

Period of occupation prior to the project does not assure investment to be made in the project from own resources. (Annex-1Table--11)

The difference in the means of opinion expressed by the private entrepreneurs in both the districts is not significant. (Annex-1Table--12)

Ownership of the assets prior to the project has no influence on meeting the infrastructural requirements of the project specified by the government. (Annex-1Table--13)

RESULTS
The results of the study are divided into two parts as under: Highlights of the implementation of the Akshaya project. Analysis of the relation between IT implementation and entrepreneurship development in rural areas, through direct experiences of the private entrepreneurs.

Implementation of the Akshaya Project

Initiation of the Project The Akshaya, meaning perpetuating prosperity marks the beginning of a drive to bridge the digital divides, in the State of Kerala. The initiation for the project unlike any other IT projects, has not come from the government as an imposition, but came as a result of the initiative taken by the three-tier Panchayats i.e., the Village/gram panchayat, Local/block panchayat, and the district panchayat, making the project a unique one among the other IT projects not only in the Kerala State as well as other States in India. The Gram panchayat of Malappuram proposed a plan for spreading the eliteracy to every family. With the support of block panchayat and the district panchayat, the Malappuram gram panchayat approached different agencies to undertake this project by setting aside Rs. 60 lakhs during 2001-02 plan period. When the State IT mission was finally approached, it took up this project proposal as a novel idea and extended full cooperation and the needed support for the materialization of the plan. The Akshaya project in Malappuram district was launched by none other than the President of India, Sri A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on 28th November 2002, on a pilot basis. The local bodies, with support and monitoring from the district and State administration, are implementing the project. Objectives of the Akshaya project Akshayas main aim is to transform the lives of 6.4 million families in Kerala, cutting across the social, cultural and linguistic barriers, and to bring home the benefits of Information Technology to the common man by familiarizing at least one person from each family in Kerala with computers and empower him or her to access relevant e-content in the regional language.

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Achievement of the Objective Envisaging a 15 hours training for 10 days at one and a half hour duration per day to train the citizens, the Government of Kerala sought to create 6,000 modern community information centres called the Akshaya centres, and provide convenient access to information services within a radius of 2-km from the citizens residence. Implementation of the Project in the State The government conceived a three stage implementation plan for taking the Akshaya project to the entire State. During the first stage, the project is implemented in one district i.e., Malappuram, on a pilot basis which has benefited 5,83,264 people spread over 78 panchayats and the municipalities in the district, with at least 1,000 persons from a panchayat, who are converted into e-literates and are ready to use this knowledge to take full advantage in the use of internet. Based on the successful implementation of the project during pilot scheme, the project is rolled out to another six districts, which constitute the second phase of the Akshaya projects implementation. Kozhikode, the second district selected for the study, is covered under the second stage of implementation of the project. By setting up 176 Akshaya centres with two centers for each grama panchayat, 10 for the Kozhicode corporation, seven for Koilandy municipality and five for Vadakara municipality, the district is covered under second stage of the projects implementation. Presently, the project is completing its second stage of implementation, and is all set to take off to the third stage of its implementation by covering the remaining six districts in the State. With the completion of the second stage of implementation, the project is able to convert people from seven districts of the State, as e-literates. Functioning of the Project The functioning mode of the project is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP model) where in the three tier panchayats take the lead role in planning for the project; and the execution part of it is taken care of, by the selected private entrepreneurs of the area. The project has set for itself a three phase implementation strategy. The first phase deals with the achievement of cent percent e-literacy in the state. The second phase covers e-vidya programme. Under the e-vidya programme, all those citizens who have undergone training in the first phase besides the others, and who are ambitious in furthering their knowledge of computers are given an opportunity to take part in the 30 hour computer training programme that offers knowledge relating to the entire basic computer operation. This course offers a certificate to all those candidates who complete the e-vidya course successfully. The Government of Kerala recognizes the certificate. The third phase would comprise an internet package which envisages a 10 hour comprehensive training to each person in using email, chat and other internet facilities, so that they become familiar with the use of internet including browsing. After completion of this training, each trainee is given a free e-mail account. Financial Implication of the Project to the Citizen Each trainee has to pay only Rs. 40/- out of the total fees of Rs. 120/-. The remaining amount is shared by the grama panchayat, block and the district panchayats in the ratio of Rs. 60/-, Rs. 10/-and Rs. 10/- respectively, during the first phase of the projects implementation. Trainees belonging to SC/ST communities are exempted from paying even this nominal amount of Rs. 40/-. During the second phase of Akshaya implementation, the cost of the total e-vidya course comes to Rs. 450/-, which is met totally by the trainees. The total cost of the Internet package programme of the project during the third phase is estimated to be Rs. 140 per person. Government proposes to contribute Rs. 100/- and the remaining Rs. 40/- to be met by the trainee.

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Financial Implication to the Government Government is required to make no lump sum investment towards the implementation of the project either towards infrastructure development or development of training centers, except a sum needed to provide the connectivity to the Akshaya centers. Private Entrepreneur Selection, Training and Motivation All the educated unemployed who have secured minimum 12th standard degree with basic computer knowledge and with the minimum entrepreneurial abilities like capacity to take certain amount of risk, manage the Akshaya center set up, and the minimum zeal to serve the citizens, are all eligible to become the entrepreneurs for running the Akshaya centers. The final selection, however, is made on the basis of interviews and the opinion of the local bodies. Every selected entrepreneur should be ready to make an initial investment of Rs. 3 lakhs to set up an Akshaya center requiring a built up area of 400 sq.ft. and five computers. In order to promote the entrepreneurship development, the government also assists those entrepreneurs who are fulfilling all the other formalities but are unable to secure financial support, in getting the loans from banks by standing as their sureties. Entrepreneurs who appear for interviews are also given an opportunity to file complaints, if any, with the Appeal Committee. The selected entrepreneurs have to file an undertaking on a Rs. 50 stamp paper at the Akshaya project office. The selected entrepreneurs are trained in different batches in two day and three day workshops and seminars, in management skills to run the Akshaya centers. Experts from C-DIT (Center for Development of Imaging Technology) become the trainers for this training programme. The entrepreneur is expected to recover his investment by conducting the e-literacy course and providing various utility services. Trainers / Instructors In all, 176 Akshaya centers in Kozhicode district and 600 in Malappuram have been set up. Every Akshaya center has a minimum five instructors, one of whom is required to possess either PGDCA or MCA or B.Sc. computer science degree. The others can be persons with computer knowledge and a minimum of Plus Two education background. All the instructors are given training by C-DIT experts who introduce them to contents of four CDs developed by C-DIT for the eliteracy campaign. These CDs meant for e-literacy learners contain self-study materials, besides some computer games and certain simple computer programmes. Three instructors are selected at one for every 500 learners and their salary is to be paid by the entrepreneur himself / herself. Beneficiaries or Trainees Trainees are selected through household surveys. Entrepreneurs, local body representatives, volunteers of Kudumbasree (a poverty alleviation programme of the Local Government), and Nehru Yuva Kendra and the Literacy Mission, are undertaking the e-literacy campaign to create awareness among the public about the entire Akshaya project. The Akshaya centers, which are spread to every nook and corner of the rural areas with full network connectivity, are getting linked Reliable, instant, efficient, network disbursement of services). As such all the government department services will be eventually extended to the citizens through these centers. IT implementation and Entrepreneurship Development Sex-wise composition of the private entrepreneurs revealed that the proportion of male is more in both the districts implying that the educated unemployed males have readily joined in utilizing the employment opportunities which came to them in the form of the Akshaya project. Though the proportion of females in general is less compared to males, in both the districts, the women of developed region (Calicut) are seen taking active

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involvement in entrepreneurship related activities as compared to the less developed region i.e. Malappuram. This implies that females in less developed region need more encouragement and support to come forward to actively involve in implementation of the projects of this kind. (Figure-1)

Figure 1: Sex-Wise Categorization of Private Entrepreneurship

Study of the selected entrepreneurs on the basis of marital status revealed that more of married members are actively involved in the projects implementation. The married status, which confers the support to the couples from each other, also provides the encouragement to take part in developments taking place in the areas. Spouses share between them the knowledge gained during the exposure to these activities. The support of the spouse also enables an individual to take certain degree of risk and challenge. They also have the advantage of sharing the functions and managerial abilities of the spouse for the development of the centre so that they can meet the competition in the market. Ability to meet the competition is one of the essential features for the development of entrepreneurship. Hence married status can be used as one of the important factors for contributing to the success of the entrepreneurial development in rural areas. (Figure-2)

Figure 2: Categorization of Private Entrepreneurs as per Marital Status

The study of the educational background of the selected entrepreneurs suggests that the proportion of preuniversity and above, level of education is almost the same among the private entrepreneurs in both the districts. This implies that the prevalence of educated unemployment is equal in both less developed as well as developed regions. Implementation of Akshaya project has thrown open the opportunities for self-employment. (Figure-3)

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Figure 3: Educational Background of Private Entrepreneurs Figure-4 supports the view depicted in figure 3 that educated unemployed youth constitutes the major percentage among the entrepreneurs, in both the areas. Though the fundamental requirement for getting eligibility to become the private entrepreneurs to the Akshaya project is to have the basic formal education, participation of more qualified people as private entrepreneurs indicates the fact that there is prevalence of educated unemployment in the rural areas.Implementation of Akshaya project has provided employment avenues to the educated youth.

Figure 4: Computer Knowledge among Private Entrepreneurs The analysis of the occupational status of the private entrepreneurs during the pre-Akshaya project (Figure-5) brings to focus that all the entrepreneurs to the Akshaya project have come with some exposure to the entrepreneurial skills acquired through either self-employment or private employment or inherited family business. The other highlights are: o People with entrepreneurial talent are available in a large measure which is lying idle in the rural areas. The Akshaya project has provided the scope to exploit this talent through o implementation of the project.

Information technology or any other new technology adoption is not an unwelcome feature even in the rural areas. It is the non-availability of the opportunities and facilities to the local people, that makes the region remain underdeveloped, and not the nature of technology or the attitudes of people.

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Of Analysis of the nativity factor drives home (Figure-6) the fact that majority of the entrepreneurs participating in the implementation of the project hail from the same place in both the regions. This also supports the view that there is adequate talent available in the rural areas and migration of talent from outside the area is not required to develop the region. The opportunities for development through the locally available qualifications and skills are awaited by the people of the region. Desire for being with the families, fear of not getting suitable income-earning opportunities on migration, fear of inability to meet the expenditure involved in migration, if expected income is not generated, cultural factors such as desire to take care of elderly parents who refuse to be uprooted from the place of origin, social factors such as

unwillingness to leave the long standing association developed with the people of the region, and so on, are some of the important factors for the talented and educated youth to continue to remain in their native places. The decision of the Government to use the locally available talent, by designing and implementing suitable policies, for bringing about the balanced economic development, is a step in the right direction to improve the rural areas.

Figure 7 highlights that people who started their entrepreneurial activities on a limited basis earning meager income of Rs. 2500 to 4,500 per month on an average, are the ones who joined the implementation of the Akshaya project in the less developed region i.e. Malappuram. Contrary to this, the entrepreneurs in Calicut were earning an average monthly income ranging from Rs. 6,500 to 8,500. This indicates that there is a need for giving more of these opportunities to the less developed regions with the help of IT, as is done under the Akshaya project for improving the less developed regions.

Analysis of the reasons for opting to join the Akshaya project revealed that majority of the entrepreneurs in both the districts decided to join the project mainly to derive the satisfaction of participating in government initiated activity. The next majority of the people joined the project in Calicut, in anticipation of the scope for improving their existing business, while the second major category of entrepreneurs in Malappuram undertook the Akshaya

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project expecting opening up of more opportunities for their skill development. (Figure-8) Some of the entrepreneurs opted to join the Akshaya project for availing the assured employment opportunity.

Figure- 8 In order to understand the perception of the entrepreneurs about the Akshaya project, an analysis was made as to know whether the proposed Akshaya project was perceived as way of turning educated unemployed into selfemployed individuals; or a method of achieving cent percent computer literacy; or a project which gives more for developing their on-going small business; or a project which is initiated to show the income earning path to the unemployed youth of the State. Figure-9 reports that majority of the private entrepreneurs perceived the project as a method of achieving total computer literacy in rural areas. Since locally available talent of the educated unemployed youth is utilized for implementation of the project, a good foundation is laid to the entrepreneurial development in the areas.

Figure 9: Pre-Akshaya Project Perceptions of Private Entrepreneurs

Discussion on Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis of different variables like level of income of the entrepreneurs prior to joining the project, and its comparison with post-Akshaya project income, quantum of investment required to be made in the Akshaya Project, source of information to the entrepreneurs about the Akshaya project, time taken for recovery of the investment made in the Akshaya project, occupation of the entrepreneurs before joining the Akshaya project, source from where the investment was made in the Akshaya project, infrastructural specifications of the government for setting up the Akshaya centers, has

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been made to understand the contribution of Akshaya project to the entrepreneurship development. Following are the component wise discussion of the results. Level of Income before the Project: Since the calculated value of Z is more than the table value,

H 0 is

rejected. (Table-1) Therefore we conclude that the difference in the mean income of the entrepreneurs in both the districts, prior to joining the Akshaya project is significant. It is also seen from the table that people from the developed region (Calicut) have more after-project income than in less developed region (Malappuram). It suggests that the level of income of people in developed region is more than their counterparts in the less developed regions. Pre & Post Akshaya Project Income: Comparison of pre and post Akshaya project income levels in absolute terms, (Table-2) in both the districts reveals that there is significant change in the income earned during the periods under consideration, and hence H 0 is rejected at 1% level of significance. The entrepreneurs could derive increased incomes after joining the Akshaya project by setting up and managing the Akshaya project. Investment: It is clear from table 3 that there is no relation between the quantum of investment to be made to set up the Akshaya centers and the source of funds. Hence H0 is accepted. It implies that factors like the zeal of the entrepreneurs, encouragement and the opportunity given to them to exhibit their skills, assurance of different kinds of support needed by them and so on, will motivate them in undertaking entrepreneurial ventures, and not the quantum of investment alone. It is observed in the study that in spite of the huge investment requirement, entrepreneurs are ready to take risk and come forward for investment if the other factors are conducive. Among the sources of funds for investment in Akshaya project, it is observed that bank loans served as the major source, for the entrepreneurs. Time Taken for Recovery of the Investment: Since the calculated value of Z in table-4 exceeds the table value at 5% level of significance, H0 is rejected. Hence it is concluded that there is variation in the time taken for recovery of the investment made in the Akshaya centers, from entrepreneur to entrepreneur; and from region to region. This variation is due to allotment of varying number of trainees to each Akshaya center based on the geographical set up of the districts and the Akshaya centers. In spite of being aware that all of them do not recover their investment at the same time, entrepreneurs came forward to exhibit their skills through the project and derive benefit, besides conferring benefit to the society. Pre-Project Asset Ownership: The calculated Z value in the table-5 brings to focus that there is no association between the assets owned prior to joining the project and the ability to make the required investment to join the project. Therefore, the capacity to make the required investment in the project is influenced by other factors such as risk bearing ability, availability of self-generated funds, willingness to invest own funds available, confidence on managerial ability and skills for running and maintenance of the Akshaya center, and so on. Recovery of Investment: Since the calculated Z value for the data in table-6 is less than the table value,

H 0 is

accepted. Hence the percentage recovery of the investment is not related to the quantum of the investment made in the Akshaya project by the entrepreneurs. Factors such as the zeal of the entrepreneurs in investment, and efforts made for recovery of the investment, skill employed in managing the flow of funds, capacity for minimizing the bad debts, ability to generate more than a rupee returns, risk bearing and risk management attitudes; and so on, determine the speed with which the investments are recovered.

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Period of Recovery: To judge the time required for recovering the balance of investment, an analysis is made between the quantum of investment made in setting up Akshaya center and the expectation of the entrepreneur regarding the period required for recovering the balance of the investment. Since H0 is accepted as per the Z value, the study brings to focus that there is no relationship between the two selected variables, implying that the period of recovery depends on entrepreneurs managerial and other factors. It is in this context that initiation of formal training to the entrepreneurs will go a long way in developing the innate abilities lying dormant in them for managing the centers (Table-7).

Pre-Project Occupation and Nativity: Acceptance of H0 in tables 8 and 9 focuses on the fact that the variables such as occupation of the entrepreneur before joining the Akshaya project, the source of knowledge about the project, nativity of the entrepreneur are independent of each other. It implies that the occupation they were holding prior to joining the project has no relation with the Akshaya project. People came forward to become entrepreneurs in the implementation of the project irrespective of the nature of their pre-project occupation.

Source of Investment: There is no relationship between the pre-Akshaya project period occupation and the availability of the means to make investment. Similarly, income earned under Akshaya project and sense of satisfaction derived from the income earned , are not related as revealed by the data as per the tables 10 and 11. Some entrepreneurs express good satisfaction as derived from the Akshaya participation, though the quantum of income earned under the project is not very significant. Hence the sense of satisfaction these entrepreneurs are deriving from the project is influenced by two other important factors such as, expectation of future recovery of the investment and the opportunity of participation in the project to develop the existing entrepreneurial abilities, as observed in the study.

Infrastructure: The Kerala government prescribed certain specifications pertaining to the infrastructure requirements like building 400 Sq. ft, five computers, training of 40 trainees per day, appointment of minimum five trainers for the center. There is no uniformity in the opinion expressed by the entrepreneurs in both the districts regarding the capacity to meet the requirements. Some say they could easily meet these requirements yet others say that though they could not meet them immediately, they are hopeful to meet the requirements within a short period after entering into the contract, as is revealed by the table-12.

Owning of Computer Center: The data in table 13 highlights that there is a close association between owning a computer center before joining the project and the capacity to meet the infrastructure specifications made by the government for starting the Akshaya centers. Hence H0 is rejected. This throws light on the fact that entrepreneurs who have already owned a computer center were able to meet these specifications easily, as per the prescribed norms of the government, compared to those who did not own a computer centre prior to joining the project.

Leaning Points The following factors illustrate the success factors of implementation of the Akshaya project and the development of the entrepreneurship among the people in the rural areas. Initiation for implementation of the project came from the villagers and moved upwards to the State authorities, making it easy for the IT dept of the state to implement the project.

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Active involvement of local bodies and three level panchayats in implementation of the project is contributing to achieving the expected results, besides paving the way for identifying the novel forces for strengthening of the project.

Involvement of local educated unemployed youth as private entrepreneurs is the assurance factor for sustenance of the project. It has contributed to mitigate the ill effects of unemployment at local level besides promoting the entrepreneurship development.

Establishment of broadband network for providing connectivity to different Akshaya centers in all the areas. Simultaneous selection, training and motivation of the entrepreneurs has resulted in bridging the time gap between the idea conception and implementation.

Government conceding the plea of local bodies and revoking the transfer orders issued to one of the key officials to the project, at the crucial stage of projects launching.

Government lending all needed support to entrepreneurs for raising loans to set up Akshaya centers.

CONCLUSIONS
The Akshaya project, which is an ambitious e-literacy programme of the Kerala State, has proved that Information Technology implementation in rural areas can promote entrepreneurship development. The project has activated the dormant talent of the educated unemployed youth in the rural areas. It has shown them the path to earn income, and thus, served as a pioneering step in preventing the brain drain. The project implementation also provides an ample scope to reduce the growing levels of frustration and suicidal tendencies among the rural unemployed youth. The study of the relationship between application of Information Technology and entrepreneurship development in the rural areas revealed that participation of females in less developed regions is not very active; steps are to be taken to involve them actively in the implementation of IT related projects. As married people are more among the entrepreneurs, status of marriage can be used as a source for encouraging entrepreneurship. Participation of entrepreneurs with more educational qualification than required, testifies the fact that there is rampant unemployment of educated youth in the rural areas. Deployment of IT would go a long way in solving the problem as is revealed by the project. The study also brought to light that there is lot of entrepreneurial talent lying idle in rural areas and unearthing this is the current requirement of the day. It is also highlighted in the study that non-availability of opportunities alone make people remain underdeveloped and not their attitudes. For bringing about balanced economic development, providing an opportunity to utilize the locally available talent particularly in less developed regions is considered essential. Adoption of new technology, as demonstrated through the implementation of the Akshaya project, has resulted in increase in the income of the entrepreneurs. The explosive growth of information technology presents new opportunities as well as challenges to entrepreneurs even in rural areas. For citizens, the opening of Akshaya e-centers has brought an opportunity to become part of the current knowledge revolution, besides bringing about a great technological transformation to the district. Moving from a manual to electronic process with broadband technology as an enabler, for not only bridging the digital divide, but also ushering in the entrepreneurship development, the State of Kerala has set an example, which is worthy of emulation. The entrepreneurs have to formulate, develop, and implement new strategies and innovations into their business. Because of the rapid acceleration of technology, the ability to respond quickly to changes as well as to forge new relationships can be one of the several ways in which rural entrepreneurs can bring about revolutionary new ideas into their

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businesses and electronic marketplace. This way they will be creating new models of entrepreneurial behavior and performance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author submits this work at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, whose unseen blessings and grace guided her in all the endeavors. The author expresses her deep sense of gratitude to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, her parent Institution, for encouraging her to take up the on-going UGC sponsored Major Research Project and to the UGC for supporting the project financially. The present paper constitutes a part of the above project. The author acknowledges the excellent support extended by the IT Mission of Kerala, and the concerned authorities of Akshaya Project in Malappuram and Calicut districts, in writing this paper. Special thanks are due from the author, to Prof. K.L.A.P Sharma, Department of Statistics, S.K University, Anantapur, for his constant guidance in Statistical Analysis pertaining to the paper.

REFERENCES
1. 2. Archibald, Jacqueline et al. 2005, The Gender Politics of ICT, London: Middlesex University Press. Autor, David, Lawrence Katz, and Alan Krueger. 1998. "Computing Inequality: Have Computers Changed the Labor Market?" The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 113:4, 1169-214. 3. Bell, Daniel, 1973, The coming of the post-industrial society: a venture in social forecasting. Harmondsworth, Penguin. 4. Bitler, Marianne P, 2002, "Does PC Use Pay? Computers and Small Business Performance," RAND working Paper. 5. Bitler, Marianne, Alicia Robb, and John Wolken, 2001. Financial Services Used by Small Businesses: Evidence from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finances Federal Reserve Bulletin, Vol. 87, April 2001. 6. Buckley, Patricia, and Sabrina Montes. 2002, "Main Street in the Digital Divide Age: How Small and MediumSized Businesses are Using the Tools of the New Economy," U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Washington, D.C.: USGPO. 7. 8. 9. Fink, C. and C.J. Kenny, 2003, Whither the digital divide?. Washington, DC, World Bank. Haraway, Donna, 2000, A manifesto for cyborgs: science, technology, and socialist feminism in the 1980s. Hafkin, Nancy and Sophia Huyer 2006, Cinderella or Cyberella? Empowering Women in the Knowledge Society, Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press. 10. Haltiwanger, John. 2004, "What do we know (and not know) about the contribution of young businesses to economic growth," Presentation at the Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century Conference, March 26, 2004, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy. 11. Modoux, A. 2002, The digital divide could lead to a gigantic cyber ghetto in developing Countries. Geneva. 12. Cecilia and Swasti Mitter, 2005, Gender and the Digital Economy: Perspectives from the Developing World, London: Sage Publications Pvt., Ltd.

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APPENDICES
APPENDICES -I: Data TablesZ Test for Testing the Significant Difference between Two Means Table 1: Income Earned before Joining the Project Income per Annum (Rs) Mid Values Calicut Mallapuram Count X1 Count X2 11 137.5 17 212.5 19 712.5 26 975 6 375 7 437.5 14 1225 0 0 SD 419.1385014 Total 1625 Mean 32.5

< 25000 12.5 25000 to 50000 37.5 50000 to 75000 62.5 > 75000 87.5 SD 471.5886272 Total 2450 Mean 49 S 21.10363863 Z 3.909278463*

Table 2 - Prior Period & Post Period Income Relating to Project Income per Annum MidValues (Rs) < 25000 12.5 25000 to 50000 37.5 50000 to 75000 62.5 > 75000 87.5 SD 283.8536888 Total 1125 Mean 22.5 S 18.7482291 Z 2.600245588** Calicut Count X1 16 200 18 675 4 250 0 0 SD Total Mean Mallapuram Count X2 11 137.5 7 262.5 1 62.5 2 175 83.15084185 637.5 12.75

Table 3: Quantum of Investment and Source of Investment Investment in MidValues Lakhs 0 to 1 0.5 1 to 2 1.5 2 to 3 2.5 3 to 4 3.5 SD 19.28460094 Total 101.5 Mean 2.03 S 14.80579449 Z 0.016885281 Calicut Count X1 1 0.5 30 45 14 35 6 21 Mallapuram Count X2 10 5 15 22.5 16 40 9 31.5 SD 14.98054294 Total 99 Mean 1.98

Table 4: Opinion Regarding Recovery of Investment Months 0 - 12 12 - 24 24 - 36 36 - 48 48 - 60 SD Total Mean S Mid Calicut Values Count X1 6 28 168 18 9 162 30 5 150 42 5 210 54 3 162 23.08246087 852 17.04 14.86978414 Mallapuram Count X2 11 66 7 126 4 120 9 378 19 1026 SD 400.3938061 Total 1338 Mean 26.76

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Z -3.268372932** Table 5: Prior Period Occupation & Quantum of Investment Investment Mid Values in Lakhs 0-1 0.5 1-2 1.5 2-3 2.5 3-4 3.5 SD 19.94367068 Total 115 Mean 2.3 S 14.81691889 Calicut Count X1 0 0 21 31.5 18 45 11 38.5 SD Total Mean Z Mallapuram Count X2 9 4.5 28 42 4 10 9 31.5 17.70593121 88 1.76 0.18222412

Table 6: Amount of Investment & Percentage Recovered Investment Calicut Mallapuram Mid Values in Lakhs Count X1 Count X2 0-1 0.5 3 1.5 1 0.5 1-2 1.5 19 28.5 29 43.5 2-3 2.5 19 47.5 14 35 3-4 3.5 9 31.5 6 21 SD 19.08533468 SD 18.78385832 Total 109 Total 100 Mean 2.18 Mean 2 S 14.80242944 Z 0.06080083 Table 7: Quantum of Investment & Opinion on Future Recovery Investment in Lakhs 0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 SD Total Mean S Mid Values 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 14.98054294 99 1.98 14.73294001 Calicut Count X1 10 5 15 22.5 16 40 9 31.5 SD Total mean Z Mallapuram Count X2 1 0.5 29 43.5 14 35 6 21 18.78385832 100 2 -0.006787512

Table 8: Prior Period Occupation and Source of Knowledge about the Project Source Occupation Self-Employment Private Employment Inherited Family Business Friends & Relations Mal Cal Z 5 4 0.349428266 1 3 1 2 0 0.458831459 Media Cal 10 7 1 Newspapers Cal Z 15 -1.663369656 6 4 2.20962882* -0.391930878

Mal 10 1 4

Z 0

Mal 8 15 3

-2.211629152* 1.376494408

Table 9: Nativity of PE's and Source of Knowledge about the Project

Source Nativity Belong to the area Do not belong to the area Migrated for Project Mal 7 2 0 Friends & Relations Cal Z 4 2 1 0.958804131 0 -1.005037785 Mal 13 1 1 Media Cal 15 3 0 Z Mal 23 3 0 Newspapers Cal 19 3 3 Z

-0.445435405 -1.020620704 1.005037785

0.810440898 0 -1.758631229

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Table 10: Prior Period Occupation and Personal Means for Investment Confidence in Getting Loans Z 0 0 0 Mal 10 4 4 Cal 10 4 4 Z 0 0 0 Confidence in Govt. Support for Loan Mal Cal Z 7 7 0 4 4 0 2 2 0

Personal Means Occupation Small Business Computer Centre Inherited Business

Self Funds Mal 12 5 2 Cal 12 5 2

Table 11: Income Earned and the Satisfaction Derived Satisfaction Income Increase No Increase With Satisfaction Cal Z 14 -0.436435759 10 1.091089487 Without Satisfaction Mal Cal Z 13 14 0.225245789 15 12 0.675737381 Viewed as an Opportunity Mal Cal Z 29 28 -0.201989293 21 22 0.201989293

Mal 16 6

Table 12: Opinion Expressed Regarding Meeting Govt. Specifications Opinion At the time of Agreement After the Agreement Mal 46 4 Cal 31 19 Districts Z 3.56436348** -3.56436348**

Table 13: Prior Period Ownership and Meeting the Requirements Meeting Specifications Ownership Small Business Computer Centre APPENDICES-II Questionnaire for the Government OfficialsAkshaya Project of Kerala Study of the functioning of Akshaya Project of Kerala State Tri-party analysis (Government, Entrepreneur and the enduser) radhakumari_c@yahoo.com
Important Note This questionnaire is part of an academic study being conducted with an aid from the University Grants Commission as part of the project Work of Dr. (Ms.) Ch. Radha Kumari, Reader, Department of Commerce, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, Andhra Pradesh. The information obtained by administering these questionnaires will be used SOLELY FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES. About the Questionnaire The Questionnaire has seven parts Part I is aimed ascertaining the functioning mode of the Akshaya Project.

At the time of Agreement Mal 23 23 Cal 24 6 Z -0.200360969 3.746456861** Mal 3 1

After the Agreement Cal 18 2 Z 3.682714462** -0.58621037

94 Part II is designed to understand the activities that have gone in to the selection of Private entrepreneurs.

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Part III is framed to assess the link between FRIENDS Janaseva Centers and the Akshaya centers and Part IV is to devised to understand the impact of Akshaya project on the social and economic development of the parties involved, from the govt.s point of view. Part V is framed to assess the feed back measures being taken to ensure that the functioning of the Akshaya project is in consonance with the set objectives. Part VI has been structured to highlight the proposed future activities of the Govt. of Kerala, in relation to the Akshaya project. Part VII is devised to project on the uniqueness of the Akshaya project.

Questionnaire for the Govt. OfficialsAkshaya Project of Kerala Part I. Ascertaining the functioning mode of the Akshaya Project 1. It is said that the Akshaya project is initiated by the district authorities of Malapuram and is not an initiative of the Government of Kerala. Kindly elaborate on the factors that laid foundation for starting the project. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. When was the project launched and how was it proposed to be implemented? What is the Motive behind launching of a project such as Akshaya? What are the activities undertaken, which have gone to lay the foundation for launching of Akshaya project? What are the objectives of the Project? Who are the target audience for the project? What is the special motive behind selection of this audience? What is the target set by the government? a) Please specify the number targeted for training.

b) Please specify the number trained. c) 8. Please specify what the government is intending to do with these trained/computer literate individuals?

Please specify how the govt. is planning to utilize the skills of these trainees for social, economic and other developmental activities of the State.

1. Kindly describe the implementation policy and the method followed in the process. (describe the Phase-wise activities)
a). Implementation Policy b). Phase I activities: c). Phase II activities: d). Phase III activities: 10. What is the investment made? How far the planned investment deviated from the actual requirement? a. If planned investment is less than the actual requirement, please state ate the possible reasons for the same and how the deficit is met. b. c. Is there any other annual investment which is made by the Government? It is said that the Akshaya project is the low-cost e-governance project of the State of Kerala. Kindly elaborate on the issue.

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11.

What is the total investment made per each Akshaya center? (kindly specify the division of investment as to permanent and recurring)

12. 13.

What is the share of government in the total investment required for each Akshaya center? What is the infrastructure, fixed per the center? Who is expected to provide this to the center?

14. 15.

Who provides the Hardware and Software architectures to the centers? Please describe briefly the Hardware and Software requirements needed to run each Akshaya center?

Part II. Selection of Akshaya centers, trainees and the Entrepreneurs 16. What was the policy behind selection of the specific Akshaya centers? What Specific objective went behind such selection of the centers? 17. How are the entrepreneurs, who are the private parties to the project, selected? (Please elaborate on the selection process of entrepreneurs) 18. How are the entrepreneurs abilities to set up, manage and run an establishment, measured/judged before their selection? 19. 20. 21. What is the investment expected to be made by the entrepreneurs? How is the entrepreneur expected to recover his investment? What are the various incentives offered to these entrepreneurs which the govt. feels will serve as motivators to them to continue to work for the govt. and help in achieving the overall objectives of Akshaya project? 22. What is the expected future role of the entrepreneur in carrying out the proposed govt. activities of the Akshaya centers? 23. 24. Please describe the procedure followed for the selection of the trainees for the Akshaya Project. What are Kudumbasree units? Please describe their role in enlisting the members to the Akshaya Centers for training. Part III. Link between FRIENDS Janaseva Kendras and Akshaya 25. 26. What are FRIENDS Janaseva Kendras units? Will there be overlapping of services provided, if, in an area, there is one FRIENDS center and one Akshaya center? 27. Kindly elaborate on how government is planning to link the activities of Akshaya centers and FRIENDS Janaseva centers so to avoid any duplication in the service provision. 28. 29. Will there be any double investment (wasteful investment) if both these centers are run parallely, in an area? Is there any specifications made to the entrepreneur regarding the set up and administration of the Akshaya center?

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Part IV. Feed back Process: Assessment of the functioning of the project to ensure that the planned objectives will be achieved;30. 31. What is the entrepreneur monitoring policy of the Government? Please mention the efforts that are being made to ensure that the selected entrepreneurs are carrying out the assigned jobs with commitment. a. 32. b. c.

Are there any specific terms and conditions that the government and the entrepreneurs

enter into, for running the Akshaya centers? (Please specify) Part V. Impact of Akshaya Project on the socio-economic conditions of the parties involved: as perceived by the Govt. of Kerala 33. What is the social and economic relevance of the Akshaya project? (In terms of bridging the gap between educated and uneducated in a family, income generation, bringing about computer literacy, generation of employment to unemployed educated and uneducated youth, and so on) 34. 35. How is the Akshaya project contributing to entrepreneurship development? How is it bridging the digital divide between Urban and Rural areas?

Part VI: Proposed Future activities of the govt. in relation to the Akshaya project:36. 37. 38. 39. E-vidya:- (Please elaborate) E-Krishi: (Please elaborate) Registration of SSIs through Akshaya centers: (Please elaborate) Any other i.e. role of internet banking etc. (please specify and elaborate):

Part VII: Uniqueness and the incidental outcomes of the Akshaya Project 40. Please describe the uniqueness of the project: (Please elaborate as to how the Akshaya project is unique in coming up without government initiation, how it has involved educated unemployed youth, how it is contributing to the generation of employment in rural areas in relation to which all the State and Central planning for ages, nd so on) 41. Please describe the incidental benefits of the Akshaya Project: (Please elaborate as to how the projects implementation has resulted in unanticipated yet socially useful benefits like contribution to Entrepreneurship Development, total involvement and cooperation from the local people and so on, which were actually not perceived at the time of implementation of the project but which has brought about.) 42. Any other point which is left out but the mention of which will highlight the importance of the project to the other States and the rest of the world, may kindly be elaborated here. Thank you very much for your cooperation and valuable time for contributing the data for preparing the proposed research paper. governments are