Week+8

Human-Centred Design Case Study of Cellphones in Developing Countries Read the online article 'Can the Cellphone end Global Poverty?' at [] very carefully.**
 * Week 8:

I**n 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 cellphone use and design in different cultures as part of their market expansion.**

Chipchase is a ‘human-behavior researcher’ working for Nokia. He travels to developing countries to meet and observe different people- the way people act, communicate, culturally behave, live daily and interact with their cellphone. Chipchase meets people who provide him detail insight to how a cellphone preferably Nokia can better suit these people in their environment. Insights such as needing a cellphone that can be fix without new parts or a cellphone that can withstand sandstorm and monsoon floods, are valuable information to help Nokia better market their phones in different regions all over the world.

Chipchase and his user-research colleagues at Nokia understand that the cellphones are increasing productivity, efficiency and social well-being of the people in developing countries. Fishermen are able to check prize with buyers before the catch. Even those too poor to afford a cellphone is benefiting from it- Nepal farmers can bring their crops to a local mobile phone owner, who work as a commissioned sales agent to find out market prices of different crops and set up for the most profitable sale. Also, many people in the developing countries faces relocation, displacement and refugee problems, a cellphone can improve these people’s lives because of the fact that they can be reached with families and businesses.

For these people, having a call-back number allows them a fixed identity point, which is a valuable asset. Those without a permanent or fixed residence are able to find jobs. Chipchase and his colleagues have met and talked to people of all kinds- rickshaw drivers, prostitutes, day laborers and farmers, and have come to the confirm that their income gets a big boost with access to a cellphone. Cellphones are upsizing the profitability and market size in developing countries as the people mobilize their resources more and more effectively.