Clearer policy objectives needed to ensure e-business take-up among SMEs, says Commission
The European Commission has adopted a communication calling for a reassessment of national and regional e-business policies in support of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Adopted by the Commission on 28 March, the communication focuses on the valuable lessons provided by the Go Digital initiative in helping SMEs use information and communication technologies (ICT) with the best possible efficiency. It also assesses new strategies to accelerate the shift from e-commerce to e-business. Commenting on the communication, Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen said that the communication underlines the importance of ICT and e-business tools for enhancing the competitiveness of European enterprises and raising productivity and growth. '[It] is an important step to accelerate progress towards the Lisbon target of making Europe a more competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy,' said Mr Liikanen. However the communication recognises the practical difficulties faced by SMEs in integrating new technologies and adapting to new business environments. Rather than trying to completely transform business processes, the Commission advises that policies should help SMEs to use e-business tools to rationalise existing processes. Policies in this area should also focus on promoting the availability of user friendly e-business tools and helping SME management acquire sufficient understanding of these tools in order to better participate in electronic business markets and networks. 'I believe that this communication is timely in alerting Member States to the need to shift their policy focus and set clear objectives and quantitative targets, as an efficient mechanism for assessing the progress and impact of their e-business strategies,' said the Commissioner. In this vein, the communication calls upon authorities to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time related targets (SMART). It also encourages Member States and regions to further promote the development of e-business policy networking, and in particular, raise awareness about the European e-business support network for SMEs, as part of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan.