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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Anna Sabadash (European Commission – Eurostat) |
| Abstract: | This study examines the evolution of the number of ICT-skilled workers employed in industry sectors in the EU28 over the period 2000-2012. Data are taken from the Eurostat Labour Force Statistics. It introduces a novel definition of ICT specialists that combines occupations and skills taxonomies. For the period prior to the introduction of the Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) it starts from the OECD definition but includes a wider range of ICT occupations. From 2011 onwards it adopts the thematic view for ICT occupations proposed by the ILO (2012). It confirms that employment of ICT specialists in the EU27 has been resilient to the economic downturn and uncertainty in global labour markets, and was able to maintain a growth path of 4.3% per year over the period 2000-2012, more than 7 times higher than average growth of total employment over the same period. Though ICT employment evolved cyclically it never turned negative. This rapid growth in ICT employment confirms the increasing importance of ICT technologies in the global economy. |
| Keywords: | Employment, ICT skills |
| JEL: | J24 |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:decwpa:2014-01&r=ict |
| By: | Haucap, Justus; Heimesho, Ulrich; Lange, Mirjam R. J. |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an empirical analysis how tariff diversity aspects fixed-line broad-band uptake, utilizing a new data set with 1497 fixed-line and 2158 mobile broad-band tariffs from 91 countries across the globe. An instrumental variable approach is applied to estimate demand, controlling for various industry and socio-economic factors. The empirical results indicate that, firstly, lower prices, more tariff diver-sity and higher income increase broadband penetration. Secondly, inter-platform competition and mobile broadband prices are not found to have a significant effect on fixed-line broadband penetration. This suggests that low prices and the diver-sity of broadband offerings are more important drivers of fixed broadband adoption than competition between various technologies (cable networks, fixed-line telephone networks, mobile networks). |
| Keywords: | Broadband prices,Tariff diversity,Broadband demand,Broadband penetration,Broadband uptake,Price discrimination,Inter-platform competition |
| JEL: | L86 L96 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb14:106898&r=ict |
| By: | Bourna, Maria; Mitomo, Hitoshi |
| Abstract: | Improved internet connectivity has been a consistent aim of Japanese telecommunications policy in the past decades, however, despite the high availability of high speed and ultra-high speed broadband services, actual use has yet to match network capacity. This study hopes to explore this paradox by looking at the factors that affect demand for broadband services. To achieve this, the relationship between overall broadband adoption and two basic demand factors, namely price of internet services and presence of a competitor in the form of wireless broadband, was examined over a 12-year period. The findings suggest that the lag in adoption can be attributed to both a higher demand for wireless connectivity and high broadband contract prices, while network effects may play a positive role in diffusion. Given that Japanese broadband policy has tended to focus more on the role of price as a mechanism for improving penetration, this study ultimately contributes to the discussion of policy efficiency by providing some empirical basis for the consideration of alternative demand-side incentives. |
| Keywords: | broadband adoption,Japan,mobile internet |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb14:106887&r=ict |
| By: | Annarosa Pesole (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | During the past years, the role of ICT as key driver and enabler of innovation has been widely recognized. The advent and development of ICT transformed the economy and the society in an evident way. However, what and how ICT contributes to this value creation process and its full potential remains hard to detect. There is a need for continuous monitoring of ICT impacts in order to provide policy makers with appropriate tools to define the right policies to seize ICT benefits. In light of this, a final aim for policy makers is to develop methodologies and tools to measure the performance of ICT innovation in Europe. This report analyses the ICT component within the newly released Innovation output indicator and provide additional informative background on the role and relation between ICT and innovation output. |
| Keywords: | ICT, innovation, Innovation Output Indicator, composite indicator |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc94372&r=ict |
| By: | Pereira, Francis |
| Abstract: | While the role of telecommunication networks historically, and today broadband and the Internet, have been theoretically linked to economic growth, the empirical results have been mixed, giving rise again to the 'productivity paradox.' Many governments, particularly those in Southeast Asia, have adopted aggressive policies to deploy broadband networks and to encourage the use of these applications. These, governments are motivated to promote broadband adoption in order to realize both economic and social benefits. This paper argues that countries (or territories), specifically, Korean, Singapore and Hong Kong have been able to realize these because of the comprehensive and aggressive policies pursued by these governments. There is some evidence to suggest that these governmental policies have been successful in achieving their stated goals. |
| Keywords: | Broadband,National Information Infrastructure Policies,Foreign direct Investment |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb14:106871&r=ict |
| By: | Alves, Sérgio |
| Abstract: | The text addresses some of the definitions and origins of the term "Internet Balkanization." Drawing upon U.S. constitutional law and interstate commerce regulations, it argues that the term also carries strong connotations on the realms of jurisdiction and commerce. The text adds examples of how this effect affects the businesses of creative companies that are exploring innovative markets in the United States, and suggests that the term "Internet Balkanization" should not be used in the context of international negotiations of Internet Governance, due to its pejorative connotations and misleading implications. |
| Keywords: | internet balkanization,internet governance,balkanizion,privacy,fragmentation,cybersecurity,international telecommunication union,sharing economy,netmundial,data localization |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb14:106835&r=ict |