The Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) today launched their latest report “Digital Technologies and Inclusion: The SAID Model for Policy Making and Program Development”. The report is authored by Professor Pankaj Setia, The IIMA Chair Professor; Professor, Information Systems and Strategy and Chairperson, CDT.
The report introduces the four-step SAID model, which stands for:
- Selection of specific social development goals
- Assessment of the inclusion problem that restricts or hinders social development after the specific social development goals are selected
- Identification of the digital capabilities that may be built to address the inclusion problem
- Development of these digital capabilities
The model is built on two assumptions. The first assumption emphasises that sustainability and speed of social development depend on our ability to underline a dynamic that restricts social development. The second stresses that digital technologies can be used to develop capabilities that overcome the inclusion problem. The model takes a closer look at social issues to identify areas where digital capabilities can be deployed to address challenges and enrich the quality of life and build a better society, at large.
It offers a structured approach to utilise digital technologies to address inclusion problems and accelerate progress towards developing a more inclusive and equitable society. It has been developed with the objective of guiding policymakers and organisations in the strategic use of digital tools to achieve specific social development goals.
This model outlines how policymakers may leverage the power of digital technologies to develop programs for social development. The SAID model highlights the fundamental principles policymakers may rely on to formulate digital strategies for achieving social development goals.
The report also highlights five key types of digital capabilities, drawing on case studies from leading Indian technology companies:
- Digital Health Capabilities
- Digital Knowledge Capabilities
- Digital Enterprise Capabilities
- Digital Financial Capabilities
- Digital Social Capabilities
Speaking at the inaugural session of the launch event, Professor Pankaj Setia, The IIMA Chair Professor, Professor, Information Systems and Strategy and Chairperson, CDT said, “Social development is a key priority for policymakers worldwide, and after extensive international efforts, there is now a growing consensus on the goals for social development. However, how to achieve these goals remains a challenge. This report presents ideas on the different types of digital capabilities that help us rethink inclusion differently.”
The report also includes case studies from Infosys, NASSCOM Foundation, and HDFC Bank on the type of digital capabilities they had built, not only in India, but also outside India, Africa, US and many other places. The findings from the report emphasize on the critical importance of making ecosystems more intelligent, which can – in the long run –to a significant extent contribute effectively to addressing the problem of social inclusion.
The report was launched by Professor Setia in the presence of Ms Saloni Vijay, CISO, _VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solution), Vodafone Group; Mr Tarang Bhargava, CIO, Adani Petrochemicals, students and others. Following the launch, Ms Vijay and Mr Bhargava engaged in a panel discussion – moderated by Professor Setia – on ‘Digital Transformation and Inclusion.”
