It is increasingly recognised that Information & Communication Technology (ICT) has important effects on the productivity of economies. Solow’s paradox – “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics” – has been convincingly countered by recent studies that indicate a substantial and growing economic impact of business adoption and usage of ICT. In recognition of this, policy makers around the world are seeking to design ICT policies and programmes that have a significant positive impact on business productivity, to evaluate the effectiveness and value for money of their interventions, to narrow the ‘digital divide’ between sections of our communities, and to nurture ICT industries and clusters.
SQW has extensive experience in advising clients in this field – in respect of both ICT as an enabler and ICT as an industry sector. We assist our clients to identify where market failure exists, to develop or appraise rationales for public sector action, and to develop or evaluate specific strategies and activities.
Examples of SQW projects
Next Generation Broadband study
For the Scottish Executive, SQW undertook a study into Next Generation Broadband (NGB) services in Scotland. The work included an assessment of the likely evolution of the NGB market in terms of coverage and take-up, and an analysis of the marginal economic and social impacts of NGB services over and above those of “current generation” broadband services. Having developed a model of the economic impact of broadband for Scotland, we appraised a number of policy options, in order to develop recommendations for the Executive’s policy towards the NGB market.
ICT in England’s rural economies
For the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, SQW undertook research into the usage of ICT by rural businesses in England. In conjunction with market research partners NOP, a total of 2400 businesses were surveyed, testing a set of hypotheses regarding the impact of ICT on rural businesses and the barriers to ICT adoption, compared with their urban counterparts.
Broadband for Scotland
SQW was appointed to assist the Scottish Executive and its agencies – Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise – in designing and implementing a multi-million pound procurement to extend affordable broadband services to every community in Scotland by the end of 2005. Given that the initiative addressed 68% of the areas in the UK which had been deemed to be ‘commercially unviable’ by broadband suppliers, this represented the largest single broadband intervention in the UK. SQW advised on the procurement process, assisted in successfully obtaining State Aid clearance from the European Commission, drafted the Invitation to Negotiate document, designed the tender scoring mechanism, assisted in evaluating the tenders, and assisted in negotiating with the tenderers. A contract with the winning bidder – BT – was signed in April 2005, and the intervention succeeded in achieving the Scottish Executive’s coverage commitment by December 2005.
UK Online Centres and e-government
UK Online Centres were established to promote computer use and internet access amongst disadvantaged groups. SQW was commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills to assess how these centres could be used to promote access to e-government services. This involved an assessment of possible services which would interest Centre users, and the extent of demand amongst the overall target groups for e-government services.
Ugandan ICT incubator study
The Government of Uganda has an objective to develop the export potential of Ugandan ICT products and services, through e-commerce. SQW was commissioned – with De Chazal Du Mée – to develop a business proposal for the establishment of an export-oriented ICT business incubation centre in Uganda. SQW’s tasks included reviewing the existing economic and business environment in Uganda within the context of ICT development (via consultations with relevant local private and public stakeholders); assessing the viability and sustainability of the ICT business incubation centre; and developing proposals for the set-up and operation of such a centre, drawing on international best practice in ICT incubation schemes.
Evaluation of e-business interventions in Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland has a programme of e-business interventions, designed to stimulate the better uptake and usage of ICT amongst businesses in the province. SQW was commissioned to carry out an evaluation of this programme. Our evaluation addressed the effectiveness of Invest NI’s e-business services in adding value to beneficiaries, the appropriateness of the individual services offered, and the logical and operational fit of these services within the wider e-business support fabric. This was carried out through a mix of face-to-face and telephone interviews with participants and with those involved in the administration and delivery of the e-business services.