Study casts light on which countries are 'e-ready'

A Washington-based international consultancy on Thursday released its second analysis of the "e-readiness" of dozens of countries, concluding that business opportunities abound even though there has been little improvement over the results of the last report. The report was prepared by McConnell International and follows on the first e-readiness assessment released by the firm last August. The report examined 53 countries -- 11 more than last year's report -- on five factors: the availability and access to networks, government and industry leadership in fostering electronic business and electronic government, the strength of laws protecting intellectual property rights, the availability of workers to support electronic business, and the electronic-business climate. It also looked at e-readiness initiatives, assessing their level of impact and innovation. The report "shines a beacon" on who is e-ready, who is taking action, and what is working, said Bruce McConnell, president of McConnell International. It also highlights business opportunities, especially for companies looking for ways to revitalize following the recent slowdown of the economy. The report gives its highest assessment in the five categories to Estonia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Each of those countries received the highest rating possible in the categories of e-leadership and human capital. No other country received the highest rating in two or more categories. However, Mexico, Lithuania, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates received a medium rating in all five categories.