Sectoral e-Business Watch
e-Newsletter No. 1/2010, March 2010
Examining ICT contributions to sustainability, competitiveness and innovation
Seven new study reports available for download
Dear Readers,
The potential and the resulting economic impacts of information and communication technology (ICT) can be observed and analysed in three principal domains: innovation, competitiveness and sustainability. The "Sectoral e-Business Watch" of the European Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry just published seven final study reports which examine ICT contributions to these domains:
- ICT impact on greenhouse gas emissions in energy intensive industries
- ICT and e-business impact in the glass, ceramics and cement industry
- ICT and e-business impact in the energy supply industry
- An economic assessment of ICT-related industrial policy
- e-Skills demand developments and challenges in manufacturing industries
- Metering and measurement facilities as enabling technology for smart electricity grids in Europe
- The potential of Intelligent Transport Systems for reducing road transport related greenhouse gas emissions
This newsletter informs about key results of these studies and offers links to the study reports.
The Final Report of the Sectoral e-Business Watch of 2009, synthesising the results of the single studies and presenting summaries of them, is now available, too. You can download the Final Report from the project’s website or you can order paper copies – see the related information at the right margin of this newsletter.
Please contact us if you have specific questions on any of these studies!
The e-Business Watch Study Team
ICT and e-business in energy-intensive industries
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ICT impact on greenhouse gas emissions in energy intensive industriesThere is much hope that ICT will help increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study provides the first comprehensive economic analysis of the relationship between ICT and GHG emissions in European energy-intensive industries. Against the confounding presence of structural differences and structural change, the study identifies a limited but significant impact of ICT on GHG emissions and production sustainability of European energy-intensive industries. More about the study report on ICT impact on greenhouse gas emissions» |
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ICT and e-business impact in the glass, ceramics and cement industryIn the glass, ceramics and cement (GCC) industries, companies use ICT mainly for optimising their internal processes rather than for data exchanges with suppliers and customers. A central objective of ICT use is the support of production processes. The digital divide between large companies with their advanced ICT systems and SMEs is more pronounced than in other sectors. The study warns that small companies are often not able to take informed decisions about their ICT strategy, due to a lack of e-skills. Thus they could underestimate the relevance of ICT for their own business and competitiveness. More about the study on the glass, ceramics and cement industry» |
Special Study: The potential of Intelligent Transport Systems for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Transport and logistics related emissions are responsible for a significant share of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union and worldwide. This study explores the potential of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for reducing these emissions. It is based on an extensive literature review and case studies.
More about the study on Intelligent Transport Systems»ICT and e-business in the energy supply sector
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ICT and e-business impact in the energy supply industrySupplying energy to consumers requires a series of complex interactions between generation, transmission, distribution and retail facilities. ICT can greatly facilitate these interactions. This study also shows how ICT can contribute towards the EU objectives related to the security of energy supply, environmental sustainability, and the creation of an efficient, reliable and competitive European energy market. More about the energy supply industry study» |
Special Study: Metering and measurement facilities as enabling technologies for smart electricity grids in Europe
Changes in the electricity market are mostly expected to affect distribution. The extent to which smart metering will be introduced is still unclear, and depends heavily on customer acceptance and on agreement on standards for communication and data management. From the utility perspective however, changes regarding network operation and services are likely, largely in response to political pressure. More active control of the distribution system by utilities may consequently be needed.
More about the study on metering and measurement facilities»Policy-oriented studies
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An economic assessment of ICT-related industrial policyICT-related industrial policy comprises policies for ICT innovation in ICT-producing companies and ICT adoption in ICT-using industries. These two issues should be seen as two sides of the same coin when it comes to enhancing the competitiveness of European industry. This study analysed how such policies could be refined, and it advances a concept for developing ICT-related industrial policy that distinguishes between policy themes and counterparts. More about the study on ICT-related industrial policy» |
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e-Skills demand developments and challenges in manufacturing industriesA lack of ICT-related skills ("e-skills"), in particular a shortage of ICT professionals, could hamper the competitiveness of European enterprises. This study explored the current and anticipated demand for different types of e-skills, covering ICT practitioner skills, ICT user skills and e-business skills. More about the study on e-skills demand developments and challenges» |
This is a free e-newsletter published by the Sectoral e-Business Watch, which is a project funded by the European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry. It is implemented by empirica GmbH, on the basis of a service contract with DG Enterprise and Industry, in cooperation with DIW econ, IDC and other service providers.
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Contact person:
Stefan Lilischkis, Project Manager, empirica GmbH (stefan.lilischkis@empirica.com).
Legal notice: The contents of this e-newsletter are prepared by the Sectoral e-Business Watch consortium and represent their personal views on the subject matters. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the European Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the European Commission nor DG Enterprise and Industry. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Download the Synthesis Report
"ICT and e-Business for an Innovative and Sustainable Economy"
The 7th Synthesis Report of the Sectoral e-Business Watch presents an empirical assessment how ICT can contribute to innovation and sustainability objectives, for example by reducing the energy and emissions intensity in production processes and transport. It summarises the studies conducted in 2009 discusses implications for policy and industry.
Order print copies
Printed copies of the European e-Business Report 2009/10 "ICT and e-Business for an Innovative and Sustainable Economy" can be ordered from:
European Commission
DG Enterprise & Industry
Unit D4 'ICT for competitiveness and innovation'
1040 Brussels, Belgium
e-Mail: entr-innov-ict-ebiz@ec.europa.eu
Recently completed studies
Download
All study reports, single case studies and the Synthesis Report 2009 can be downloaded from the Sectoral e-Business Watch website: