Government & e-commerce: Politicians come under fire Nick
Huber
European governments are failing to create the right legal and
business climate for e-commerce to flourish and risk falling
further behind the US as it strides ahead in the new economy.
That is the key concern of business leaders in an extensive
survey of the e-commerce strategies of more than 600 European, US
and South African firms carried out by Andersen Consulting.
The findings are likely to embarrass the Government - which has
touted the UK as a haven for e-business - as it prepares to release
its own e-commerce progress report this week.
Directors in the survey, published last week, were concerned
that the legal and business climate for e-commerce in Europe was
less favourable than in the US. They fear that, coupled with the
prolonged skills shortage, this could curb the future growth of
e-commerce in Europe.
But on a more positive note 97% of those surveyed are engaged in
e-commerce. Fear of being overtaken by rivals was the main reason
given for e-commerce initiatives.
While acknowledging the efforts of the European Commission to
foster e-commerce, the report warned the commission that more
progress is needed in both private and public sectors if Europe is
to compete with the US in e-commerce.
"It is vitally important that the continent's leading players,
from business to government, understand that getting the 'e' right
is not only a matter utilising the power of information
technologies," said Vernon Ellis, international chairman of
Andersen Consulting. "It is essential that this is linked to
revitalised entrepreneurial spirit."
Andersen report
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