| dc.description.abstract | This study focused on the management of mobile phone E-waste in Nairobi, Kenya. The
mobile phone sub-sector in Kenya has been recording a phenomenal increase in the number
of mobile phone users, which continues to act as a stimulant for growth in other sectors of the
economy. Mobile phone users rose from 24.9 million in 2010 to approximately 28 million in
2011, which means that the volume of mobile phone E-waste produced increased by a similar
margin. Global production network (GPN), which involves companies outsourcing their
production to low-cost countries while retaining their core business has been taking place in
Kenya leading to both economic and social upgrading. Economic upgrading is the process
where firms and workers move from low-value to high-value activities in GPN while social
upgrading is the process of improvement in the rights and entitlement of workers as social
players.
This study therefore sought to: (i) map out the mobile phone GPN in Kenya; (ii) investigate
the social and economic upgrading that has taken place in the mobile phone GPN in Kenya;
(iii) examine the E-waste policy framework on mobile phones in Kenya; and (iv) interrogate
the link between Nokia’s design for environment (DfE) and the end of life (EoL) practices of
mobile phones in Kenya. Both primary and secondary data collection was undertaken.
Different methods were utilized to collect primary data. They include key informant
interviews, questionnaire surveys and case studies. The study targeted stakeholders in the
mobile phone sector who include government agencies, mobile phone manufacturers, mobile
phone network operators and owners and workers of repair shops.
The research indicates that the mobile phone GPN in Kenya includes post consumption
activities where mobile phone E-waste are recycled and exported. The findings showed that
both economic and social upgrading is occurring in Kenya. Social upgrading was evident
since the mobile industry has employed many people directly and indirectly. Economic
upgrading was also evident since the mobile phone industry in Kenya is the leading source of
government revenue through tax. It has also led to the use of several mobile phone
applications that include m-agriculture, m-commerce, m-education, m-governance, and mhealth.
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The research paper emphasizes the need to develop an E-waste management policy and
regulations, which will aid in the management of mobile phone E-waste. There is a need for
Nokia to design a system that will sensitize users to bring back their EoL phones to the
appropriate collection points. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on
the other hand should educate the public on the hazardous materials found in E-waste and
how it will affect their health, water, environment and overall food chain. Further research on
the link between economic and social upgrading and on the operations of exporters of printed
circuit boards (PCBs) should be undertaken. | en |
