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ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

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Figure 5-16<br />

Share of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Value<br />

Added, 2011<br />

Percent of Value Added<br />

14<br />

12<br />

10<br />

8<br />

6<br />

4<br />

2<br />

0<br />

Austria<br />

Norway<br />

Portugal<br />

Poland<br />

Iceland<br />

Belgium<br />

Spain<br />

Slovenia<br />

Greece<br />

Italy<br />

Netherlands<br />

Canada<br />

France<br />

Germany<br />

Denmark<br />

Czech Rep.<br />

Slovakia<br />

OECD<br />

Finland<br />

Sweden<br />

Estonia<br />

Luxembourg<br />

United States<br />

Hungary<br />

United Kingdom<br />

Switzerland<br />

Japan<br />

Korea<br />

Ireland<br />

Source: OECD Factbook.<br />

of online craft markets means that many craft artisans are able to increase<br />

exposure in multiple markets, leading to increased scale and ultimately<br />

productivity growth, much in the same way that higher exports from international<br />

trade leads to productivity growth. These business models also<br />

introduce new competitive dynamics into established industries.<br />

The Digital Divide Challenge<br />

Broadband access has become a nearly indispensable component of<br />

modern life, used for everything from engaging in personal communication,<br />

to searching for a job, and streaming online educational content to<br />

engaging in civic affairs (National Telecommunications and Information<br />

Administration and Economics and Statistics Administration 2013). Thus,<br />

access to the Internet has become an essential resource for many nascent<br />

entrepreneurs to reach potential customers. Customers who access the<br />

Internet can benefit from the array of new products and services offered<br />

by certain types of entrepreneurial new firms. However, a digital divide<br />

(for example, the fact that certain groups of individuals and businesses lack<br />

access to the Internet) means that some would-be entrepreneurs cannot<br />

compete, and some would-be customers cannot access these new products<br />

and services.<br />

Technology and Innovation | 241

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