Information Policy

EU: Research proves innovative IT companies are the most successful

The close relationship between research, innovation and economic performance has been confirmed through a recent study by the UNU-MERIT research and training centre of the United Nations University (UNU) and Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The research team examined the production of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the EU-25. The findings show that SMEs are involved in both hardware and software ICT production across the region, with innovative companies achieving above-average growth in sales.

The study shows that continuous innovators are most likely to be medium in size, and focused on EU and global markets rather than local and national ones. These successful businesses perceive their markets as fast growing and enjoy large research budgets. More importantly, continuous innovators are more likely to declare high or medium profitability growth. These SMEs are also keener to introduce multiple innovations, combining new ideas in product and services, as well as organisational, marketing and process innovation. The study demonstrates the link between highly innovative enterprises and better performance, confirming the conclusions found in the economic literature regarding the relevance of innovation strategies for competitiveness.

The relevance of knowledge and skills to successful business strategies for SMEs was demonstrated by identifying human resources as the main factor in success. The lack of financial capital was identified as a major obstacle to growth, particularly for smaller SMEs. A further barrier emerging from the study and directly influenced by European policies was the existence of "imperfect market conditions", especially according to larger SMEs. The study indicates that National Reform Reports regarding the Lisbon Strategy towards a knowledge economy do not directly address the promotion of the IT industry. Instead they concentrate on the regulatory framework. The main areas for action include e-government, broadband infrastructure and digital literacy.

According to the report, most countries of the EU-25 have specific policies for ICT SMEs, except for Lithuania, Malta and Poland. However, the Czech Republic, Greece and Cyprus only mention a national ICT innovation framework where SMEs are concerned, but do not appear to have specific measures in place. Most of the policy measures quoted fall into the traditional field of R&D and innovation policy, rather than industrial policy, while R&D funding and technical transfer and networking are the most diffused instruments. Policies for regional or technical clusters are scarce, as are policies targeting the main barriers identified by ICT SMEs i.e. a lack of human and financial resources.

Venture capital schemes are currently being implemented by those countries with an advanced and competitive ICT industry, including Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the UK. The Member States with a strong and competitive ICT industry enjoy a tradition of proactive policies for ICT SMEs development which are characterised by initiatives that promote continuity and regional development.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/headlines/news/article_07_11_28_en.html

East African Community Urged to Set Up Special E-Government Fund

According to information and communications technology experts, other factors hindering the development of e-government in local authorities in the region include research and data gaps, absence of policies and strategies for guiding e-government at the local levels in local authorities, lack of awareness, inadequate human resources and lack of strategic alliances and partnerships to improve and assure operational and responsive e-government.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200711260349.html

Laptop Security 24/7

With the proliferation of 3G networks in the United States and globally, more enterprises have started using these wide-area wireless networks to give mobile employees remote access to their intranets using a laptop. That access is a double-edged sword, since it provides return on investment advantages but also security risks.

Virtual private networks have been the principle way enterprise IT departments have kept their intranets secure from intruders. But what happens when the VPN isn’t being used? What if the laptop is stolen, or what happens when the mobile worker launches the browser without using a VPN?

One answer to that was provided earlier this year by Alcatel-Lucent, using technology out of Bell Labs originally under the Project Avros name but now called OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian. The technology was recently taken to market by Sprint Nextel with what the carrier calls SprintSecure Laptop Guardian. It uses a combination of hardware and software to not only provide security around-the-clock but also allow IT departments to manage the laptop itself with over-the-air updates.

The Alcatel-Lucent technology, now can be used with any wireless or wireline network, including 3G, Wi-Fi and LANs. Sprint is using it only for access via its EV-DO network.

http://www.wirelessweek.com/Article-Laptop_Security.aspx

Google To Offer Service To Store User Data

Google wants to offer consumers a new way to store their files on its hard drives, in a strategy that could accelerate a shift to Web-based computing and intensify the Internet company's competition with Microsoft Corp. Google is preparing a service that would let users store on its computers essentially all of the files they might keep on their personal-computer hard drives -- such as word-processing documents, digital music, video clips and images.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119612660573504716.html

Results of the OECD online public consultation on the future of the Internet economy

The OECD recently invited public comments on issues such as convergence, innovation and trust, all of which will be discussed at the June 2008 OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy. This consultation provided an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to contribute to the discussions from a wide range of viewpoints and expertise. Responses are now available on line.

http://www.oecd.org/document/15/0,3343,en_21571361_38415463_39414351_1_1_1_1,00.html