Ict, e-business and Small and Medium Enterprises

Skill upgrading 

Lack of ICT skills and business skills are widespread impediments to effective uptake once 

adoption decisions are made. Governments have major roles in providing basic ICT skills in compulsory 

schooling, and an important role in conjunction with education institutions, business, and individuals in 

providing the framework to encourage ICT skill formation at higher levels, in vocational training and in 

ongoing lifelong learning.  

Intangible investments and assets 

Firms increasingly rely on intangible investments and assets (skills, organisation, software, 

networks) for competitiveness and growth. However common frameworks to identify, measure and report 

intangible investments and assets still need to be developed and be widely accepted. There is a significant 

role for governments in conjunction with business associations and accounting bodies to encourage 

business to develop and use systems which recognise and report intangibles in ways that can be reliably 

used by investors, valued by capital markets and guide better management practices. 

Information 

Small firms may lack objective information regarding the benefits and costs of adoption of ICT. 

The private sector (e.g. business associations) and government have a role, and can provide information 

about service available and when necessary improve coordination of government information on the 

benefits of adoption and use of ICT, for example case studies and good-practice demonstrations to tackle 

market failures in information supply. 

                                                      

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See in particular the following OECD guidelines and recommendations: OECD (2004), Recommendation 

of the Council on Broadband Development; OECD (2002), Guidelines for Protecting Consumers from 

Fraudulent and Deceptive Commercial Practices Across Borders; OECD (2002), Guidelines for the 

Security of Information Systems and Networks: Towards a Culture of Security; OECD (1999), Guidelines 

for Consumer Protection in the Context of Electronic Commerce; OECD (1998), Ministerial Declarations 

on the Protection of Privacy in Global Networks, on Consumer Protection in the Context of Electronic 

Commerce and on Authentication for Electronic Commerce adopted in Ottawa in 1998 [C(98)177, 

Annexes 1 to 3]; OECD (1998), OECD Cryptography Policy Guidelines and the Report on Background 

and Issues of Cryptography Policy; OECD (1980), OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and 

Trans-border Flows of Personal Data. 

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