1996 - European Telework Week

Telework 96
1. An opening into the “networked economy”
The new possibilities for SMEs and regions to link on markets on a multi-national level
strengthens EU cohesion by offering an opportunity to become involved in the
‘networked economy’. However, regions will have to pursue this opportunity in order to
be able to profit from this.
2. Insertion into new growth sectors
The communication-led growth sectors, such as teleservices, can create considerable
employment in regions with the appropriate prerequisites.
3. Small firms
The high hopes for large numbers of small information intensive service suppliers in
remote regions should become more modest.
The opportunities outlined above are significant in regional development terms, but
advanced communications do not, in themselves, begin to address many problems
associated with peripheral and rural issues. Advanced communications, ultimately, are
utilised most as a tool to reduce the complexity in highly developed regions and sectors
to more manageable dimensions. They do not by themselves overcome problems of
peripheral issues and lagging development. Thus, as argued below, advanced
communications must be integrated within broader strategies that address problems of
uneven regional development and opportunity.
Services with the most potential to enhance cohesion
There are no simple solutions, no 'golden bullets' or 'trigger applications' that will work
for everyone everywhere. But certain broad types of advanced user applications offer
more to regional development than do others. In particular, applications that are
integrated into the core processes along the value-chain are more useful in practice.
These include:
• Transactional Services:
• Locational Flexibility:
• Inventory and Logistical Systems:
• Integration Support:
By contrast, applications addressing generalised needs bring fewer discernible benefits,
and are harder to implement. Examples are general databases, teleservice centres lacking
a specific set of focused users, and video-conference for general access.
How to promote Advanced Applications in a Competitive, Commercial environment
There are risks in a market oriented approach to the provision of advanced
communications services in less developed regions. On the one hand, the more remote
areas are unlikely to gain access. On the other, external firms are in the best position to
afford, but more important, to make effective use of, such technologies.
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