Telework 98 - Status report on European telework
The European Commission's annual report on European telework has recently been issued. The publication provides an overview of telework activities supported within the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, in particular under the specific RTD programmes for Information Technologies (ESPRIT), Advanced Communications Technologies and Services (ACTS) and Telematics Applications. Telework deployment activities supported through the EU's Structural Funds (LEADER and ADAPT) are also documented in the report. It notes, in particular, that during 1998, the volume of funds from this source exceeded that from the Fourth RTD Framework Programme for the first time, signifying perhaps an increasing maturity in the area of telework. Progress on the implementation of the TEN-Telecom guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks is also dealt with in the report. Individual country reports on the status of telework cover all the EU Member States, while a brief overview of the situation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and the USA, is also provided. The country reports provide information on the background to teleworking and the take-up of information and communications technologies. Separate sections are devoted to driving factors, constraints, telework activities and results. The other sections of the report deal with the following: - European telework in context, covering its perspective in the network economy and opportunities and challenges; - Major European telework activities in 1997-98, such as European Telework Week (November 1997); - Major European consensus and dissemination activities; - Telework and the European Commission, dealing with the European policy framework, the social dimension, funding programmes and awareness activities; - Telework outlook - 1998 and beyond, focusing in particular on the Fifth RTD Framework Programme.