Europe fails to create climate for e-commerce

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.

Download this free guide

Enhancing digital customer engagement with CRM

Learn about customer relationship management has evolved towards engaging with customers through every channel, with digital at the forefront.

Start Download

• Corporate E-mail Address:

  You forgot to provide an Email Address.

  This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

  This email address is already registered. Please login.

  You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

  Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

By submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.

You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.

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

For more news on e-Commerce, click here