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Businesses and governments that are able to effectively employ information and communication technologies find more sophisticated and efficient ways of managing their external relationships and communications. This growing ICT usage helps form the critical mass of electronic transactions which supports a networked economy, both in terms of the network size and the demand for associated goods, services, labor and policy reform.

ICT Employment Opportunities. A thriving job market for ICT professionals provides added incentive for growth of ICT adoption, training programs and overall use of information and communication technologies within the economy. The retention of technical workers becomes an important competitiveness issue for the community.

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Electronic Commerce. Online retail options enhance consumer choice and access to products. They also allow businesses to reduce costs associated with physical infrastructure and to augment their marketing outreach and public relations via a dynamic communications channel.

Business-to-Business (B2B) Electronic Commerce. When businesses move their dealings with other businesses online, they can often communicate more easily at lower costs, hold smaller inventories, and process billings and payments more quickly, among other advantages. Moreover, networked businesses are likely to explore new business models, including dynamic business partnerships and radical market restructuring.

E-Government. Governments can take advantage of information and communication technologies to improve connections with their constituents, including using the Internet to post information online and to offer interactive services for the public. Governments can also lead by example and become a catalyst for the networked economy by investing in information and communication technologies for their internal use, leading to more efficient operations and the creation of a local market for ICT equipment and services. Relationships with government contractors and procurement mechanisms can be streamlined by putting them online. ICTs can make government activities more transparent to citizens and other observers.

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