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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Wunnava, Phanindra V. (Middlebury College); Leiter, Daniel B. (Morgan Stanley) |
| Abstract: | This paper employs cross-sectional data from 100 countries to analyze the main determinants of inter-country Internet diffusion rates. We set up an empirical model based on strong theoretical foundations, in which we regress Internet usage on variables that capture social, economic and political differences between these countries. Our results support past findings that economic strength, infrastructure and knowledge of the English language positively affect Internet connectivity. In addition to these indicators, the openness of a country, tertiary enrollment, and income equality are found to also have a significant positive effect on Internet diffusion. |
| Keywords: | internet, technological diffusion, inequality, education, English proficiency |
| JEL: | O33 D63 I20 |
| Date: | 2008–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3666&r=ict |
| By: | Riccardo Leoncini; Francesco Rentocchini; Giuseppe Vittucci Marzetti |
| Abstract: | Although open source software has recently attracted a relevant body of economic literature, a formal treatment of the process of com- petition with its proprietary counterpart is still missing. Starting from an epidemic model of innovation di?usion, we try to ?ll this gap. We propose a model where the two competing technologies depend on dif- ferent factors, each one speci?c to its own mode of production (prof- its and developers’ motivations respectively), together with network e?ects and switching costs. As the speed of di?usion of these tech- nologies is crucial for the ?nal outcome, we endogenize the parame- ter in?uencing it across the population of adopters. We ?nd that an asymptotically stable equilibrium where both technologies coexist can always be present and, when the propagation coe?cient is endogenous, it coexists with winner–take–all solutions. Furthermore, an increase in the level of the switching costs for one technology increases the num- ber of its adopters, while reducing the number of the other one. If the negative network e?ects increase for one of the two technologies, then the equilibrium level of users of that technology decrease. |
| Keywords: | Increasing returns; Open-source software; Technological competition; Technology di?usion |
| JEL: | L17 L86 O33 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:trn:utwpde:0811&r=ict |
| By: | Melanie Fritz (University of Bonn); Maurizio Canavari (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna); Nicola Cantore (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna); Jivka Deiters (University of Bonn); Erika Pignatti (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna) |
| Abstract: | Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce is an innovative use of information and communication technologies and refers to the exchange of goods and related information between companies supported by Internet-based tools such as electronic marketplaces (also called electronic trade platforms) or online shops. It provides opportunities for cost-efficiency in supply chain management processes and access to new markets. With regard to the food sector with its chain levels input – agriculture – industry – retail – consumer, B2B e-commerce would take place in the exchange of food products between all levels except retail to consumer (business-to-consumer e-commerce). It is evident and widely known that B2B e-commerce brings key advantages and potentials for European consumers and the European food sector: - The affordability of high quality, traceable food for European consumers is supported as the innovation potentials from e-commerce technologies for cost-efficient processes along the food chain. The healthy choice of quality food will become the easy and affordable choice for European consumers. - The competitiveness of the European food sector with the majority of SMEs increases as B2B e-commerce technologies support cost-efficient transaction processes in food supply chains. In recent years, the availability of sophisticated B2B e-commerce technology has improved tremendously. The “European e-Business Market Watch” initiative from the Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry from the European Commission has shown that only large multinationals exploit the potentials of B2B e-commerce in the food sector for their supply chain management with their business partners. SMEs however, which create the majority of turn over in the European food sector and therefore create jobs and welfare in Europe, are reluctant to take up existing B2B e-commerce technologies into their food supply of selling. The crucial barrier to adoption is that trust between companies is not mediated appropriately by existing e-commerce technology. Currently, the barrier for food sector SMEs towards B2B e-commerce come from - the difficulty to examine the quality and safety of food products. This refers to all kinds of transactions in the food sector, whether supported by e-commerce or not. However, when it comes to e-commerce, the difficulty of physical product examination plays a much larger role as physical product inspection is not possible; - the (perceived) risk of performing a transaction via e-commerce. This includes concerns regarding secure transfer of data, or the possibly unknown transaction partner. Elements for the generation of trust between companies in the food chain and therefore of trustworthy B2B e-commerce environments for the food sector include guaranties regarding food quality, multimedia food product presentations to signal their quality, secure e-commerce technology infrastructures, third-party quality signs to be provided. As trust is highly subjective and depends on culture, food chains in different European countries with a different cultural background require different combinations of trust generating elements regarding the quality and safety of food. Different food chain scenarios with their transaction processes and risks regarding food quality and food safety and related trust elements need to be analysed and differences in trust in different European food chains need to be considered. It is the objective of this paper to identify food chains with trans-European cross-border exchange of food and international food chains in order to analyse the transaction processes and typical risks regarding food quality and food safety. The analysis focuses on trans-European cross-border and international food chains with their chain levels (e.g. production to wholesale trade, wholesale trade to industry, or wholesale trade to retail). In particular, it regards the food categories meat, grains, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits and the particular risks regarding food quality and safety along the chains. |
| Keywords: | e-commerce, B2B transactions, agri-food trade |
| JEL: | Q13 |
| Date: | 2008–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bag:deiawp:8006&r=ict |
| By: | Erika Pignatti (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna); Maurizio Canavari (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna); Roberta Spadoni (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna) |
| Abstract: | Since some decades, agri-food products exchanges can be carried on using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools. Anyway, their adoption in the agri-food sector appears to be hindered, both because of consolidated dynamics in developing B2B transactions, and of the peculiarities of the agri-food products themselves. The lack of direct relationships between partner heighten problems connected with food safety assessments, and with the definition of standardized production practices able to match business partner’ needs. Standardization is the key point in the relationship between e-commerce and agri-food sector. As for some products it is possible to define standardized requirements, it is hard to find a collocation for the wide range of agri-food differentiated and quality products in e-commerce B2B relationships. Moreover, existing e-marketplaces are not always able to convey properly the degree of differentiation and the peculiarities of agri-food products. The study aims at analyzing the barriers connected with the adoption of e-commerce in B2B relationships in agri-food sector, defining the factors which affect the interaction between the two areas. The attitude towards e-commerce showed by potential ICT tools users, chosen between Italian agri-food operators, has been analyzed; moreover, an overview on the evolution of agri-food e-marketplaces in the last 5 years has been carried on. The results describe the main problems concerning the adoption of e-commerce in agri-food sector, deeply connected with the agri-food products specifics. In spite of positive outcomes about efficiency and transactions for standardized products, the interaction between ICT tools and agri-food sector’s needs becomes problematic in case of high quality levels and differentiation, which can’t be properly conveyed by e-marketplaces. Results also highlight the role of trust and reputation in e-environments. |
| Keywords: | e-commerce, B2B transactions, agri-food products, standardization, quality requirements |
| JEL: | Q13 |
| Date: | 2008–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bag:deiawp:8005&r=ict |
| By: | Stefan Wehrli |
| Abstract: | In this paper we explore how individual personality characteristics influence online social networking behavior. We use data from an online survey with 1560 respondents from a major Swiss technical university and their corresponding online profiles and friendship networks on a popular Social Network Site (SNS). Apart from sociodemographic variables and questions about SNS usage, we collected survey data on personality traits with a short question inventory of the Five Factor Personality Model (BFI-15). We show how these psychological network antecedents influence participation, adoption time, nodal degree and ego-network growth over a period of 4 months on the networking platform. Statistical analysis with overdispersed degree distribution models identifies extraversion as a major driving force in the tie formation process. We find a counter-intuitive positive effect for neuroticism, a negative influence for conscientiousness and no effects for openness and agreeableness. |
| Keywords: | online social networks, personality, Big Five, degree distribution |
| JEL: | D85 |
| Date: | 2008–09–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ets:wpaper:7&r=ict |