Awareness creation activities in electronic commerce

A new guide to awareness initiatives for electronic commerce targeted at SMEs in Europe has just been published by ESPRIT, the European Community's research programme in the field of Information Technologies. "Awareness creation activities in electronic commerce for SMEs" provides a comprehensive directory of awareness initiatives throughout the EU. As well as brief descriptions of the scope and objectives of each initiative, the guide includes full contact details, in order to promote and encourage cooperation and exchange of good practice. Electronic commerce can offer a wide range of benefits to business. For example it allows them to be more responsive to customers' needs, to market and sell products more efficiently and to reach customers faster and more directly. It also provides an easy means of reaching customers on the global market. However, as with any new technique, many companies, particularly SMEs, are reluctant to take electronic commerce on board. The Commission has published the guide to respond to the urgent need for more information on electronic commerce. It is aimed, in particular, at business information and advice centres such as Euro Info Centres, Chambers of Commerce and SME organizations. Four different types of initiative are covered by the book: - Getting started: activities designed to increase understanding of the business advantages and technology required for electronic commerce; - General applications: applications which can serve as a platform for doing business electronically; - Specific applications: shows how electronic commerce has already been applied in a number of specific industrial sectors and European regions; - Training and research: projects aimed at enhancing SMEs' knowledge levels of electronic commerce.

Awareness creation activities in electronic commerce

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