E-administration: Innovation Barometer – 4th quarter 2012
Three out of four French people (74%) are convinced of the benefits of developing e-administration. This is the main finding of the latest Syntec Numérique – BVA innovation barometer. This large majority appreciates the dematerialization of administrative services, particularly in terms of simplifying procedures. At the same time, however, they feel that this project is not sufficiently high on the government’s agenda. An indicator that points to a strong expectation on the part of citizens, at a time when a new government reform plan has just been launched, steered by a General Secretariat for the Modernization of Public Action (SGMAP).
This survey puts the French on an almost equal footing with the rest of Europeans in their support for the development of e-administration. Similarly, 71% of French citizens and 70% of Europeans see e-administration as agenuine productivity tool for businesses.
On the other hand, when it comes to their perception of their government’s e-government action, the French differ from their European neighbors: while a strong majority of Europeans (64%) believe that e-government is a priority for their government, only 45% of the French think so!
Let’s not forget that the digital one-stop-shop and e-administration are not just measures to please businesses,” stresses Bruno Vanryb, President of Syntec Numérique’s Publishers’ College. For the vast majority of French people, it’s also a way of simplifying their own procedures. It’s a win-win situation!
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Publishers’ morale improves despite slightly lower investment forecasts
According to the second edition of the Innovation Barometer, software publishers’ confidence in their company’s future economic situation has risen by 15 points since last September: 55% are now optimistic.
Consistent with a buoyant job market in the digital sector, this rise in morale is reflected in a clear increase in recruitment forecasts: 58% of software publishers want to strengthen their workforce in 2013, compared to 46% in the previous quarter.
This renewed confidence is also supported by an increase in their financial results. While the number of publishers falling short of their financial targets has remained unchanged since last September (44%), 20% of online publishers are now performing above or below target (versus 9% in September 2012).
On the other hand, the investment indicator is down slightly (-4 points over three months), even though a significant proportion (63%) of publishers wish to invest in new projects over the next three months.
“These results are surprising if we compare them with previous barometers: publishers oscillate between hope and pessimism, with a peak of optimism at 83% in July 2011 and a low point of 40% in September 2012. Against this backdrop, it’s worth asking whether tax uncertainties and recent tax proposals have not had a negative impact on publishers’ ability to regain a genuine desire for growth, and on their visibility of the future. There is an urgent need to establish a stable regulatory framework, particularly in a sector like digital. This is an essential condition if we are to regain the momentum needed to project ourselves forward, and help European and global champions to emerge,” concludes Bruno Vanryb.
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