European Survey of the Information Society (ESIS) - first findings
The European Survey of the Information Society (ESIS) aims to compile an inventory of projects based on Information Society technologies in Europe. The survey has recently published the first findings from the survey, based on some 1,100 responses to the questionnaire received by December 1997. The analysis of the results presents a range of interesting information such as the types of organizations involved, the stage of project development, the geographic scope of projects and the sources of funding. It shows that around half of the projects focus on application development. The fields in which most projects are active are education and training, public administration/government, and trade and commerce. As well as looking at the main characteristics of the projects, the survey also examines the major barriers facing projects, with legal issues and costs - of both development and infrastructure - being the main problems. The final area addressed in the survey looks at the conditions thought essential for successful implementation of the projects, with most considering competitiveness and economic well-being a major factor governing success. The full ESIS database will shortly be made publicly available on the World Wide Web, allowing users to search for projects. A conference will be held on 18 and 19 March 1998 in Brussels, Belgium. This will draw on the results of ESIS and present an overview of developments in the area. The conference will be addressed by Commissioner Martin Bangemann, responsible for telecommunications and the Information Society, as well as national Ministers, MEPs and key players from both public and private sectors.