Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

21An important part <strong>of</strong> the necessary know-how for the modern network economy is built by theeducational system. We have reached quite a satisfactory level <strong>of</strong> ICT education in schools, withconstantly arising new challenges, <strong>of</strong> course. But the adult population can, and should, adopt theircompetencies mostly at their place <strong>of</strong> work. Every politician should stand for the opportunityfor all citizens to access the networks through supported services <strong>of</strong>fered by, for example, publiclibraries.It is very important that all enterprises can evaluate the potential <strong>of</strong> ICT and the electronicsbusiness in their different functions. It is equally important that the business environment providesthe incentives for investing in both technology and the necessary “organisationware”. Enterprisesshould be able to become aware <strong>of</strong> the improved productivity ensuing from the use <strong>of</strong> ICT.The conventional linear model <strong>of</strong> business processes is challenged by an interactive process. Thusanyone participating in this interactive process is fully integrated and shares all information. Thecontent <strong>of</strong> e-work will be both rich and demanding. The role <strong>of</strong> the geographically most remoteparticipant in the network will be equally central as those <strong>of</strong> the others. With the gap between thetangible and intangible economies narrowing, this will be increasingly important for all e-work.In a sparsely populated country like Finland with major regional problems we need to take fulladvantage <strong>of</strong> this trend.I think we are not sufficiently familiar with these mechanisms in Europe. We policymakers thinkthat we know what is good for enterprises. But we cannot give convincing pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> that in terms <strong>of</strong>any deep analysis <strong>of</strong> the knowledge economy and the intangible determinants <strong>of</strong> success.Another complication is that human capital should be considered from many different angles.Education in public policy and human resource management in company practice are among them.Accounting, taxation, financing and investor relationships should also be considered. Ultimately,industrial and entrepreneurial policy and business strategy are further standpoints. I should say thatthis multitude <strong>of</strong> actors is also reflected in the work <strong>of</strong> the <strong>European</strong> institutions. We need a moreconcentrated and multi-disciplinary effort to find the proper policy responses. I am sure that thisConference paves the way towards that. We, the ministers in the Industry Council, should look atthese issues more thoroughly.It seems that the markets do not <strong>of</strong>fer specialist services to support companies, in particular theSMEs, in restructuring their organisations and business processes. In Finland, the MTI is launchinga specialist support service through 15 regional Employment and Economic Development Centresto <strong>of</strong>fer enterprises some remedy for these problems. Private sector consultants trained for it willassess how the enterprises could best make use <strong>of</strong> the network economy.Mr. Chairman, as we can see here again, the central theme <strong>of</strong> the new knowledge organisation, thetheme <strong>of</strong> this Conference, is essential for the enterprise policy as well.My third point concerns the role <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial activity. In principle, the step betweenindependent e-work and enterprise is a short one. In practice, it is difficult to envisage that therecould be a major surge for entrepreneurial activity without some tradition <strong>of</strong> working life in theimmediate background <strong>of</strong> the entrepreneur. Technical networking skills are one important aspect <strong>of</strong>this. Experience <strong>of</strong> producing and delivering inputs in a larger system is another. The third aspect