Developing human resources for electronic commerce

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Developing human resources for electronic
commerce
Joint UNCTAD-UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Regional
Conference E-commerce Strategies for
Development Bangkok, 20-22 November 2002

• Mr. Michael Baker
• Executive Director
• Asia Oceania Electronic Marketplace Association
  (AOEMA)michael.baker_at_aoema.org

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Todays discussion

• Interactive
• AOEMA EC Awareness seminars
• EC Best Practice report
• Protecting yourself in todays internet society
• Observations

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History of the EC Seminars
06/96 Philippines 11/96 New Zealand 12/96 Malaysia 06/97 Philippines 06/97 Korea 07/97 Thailand 11/97 Taiwan 02/98 Korea 05/98 Malaysia 09/98 Indonesia 02/99 China 02/99 Korea 06/99 Vietnam 06/99 Thailand 08/99 Brunei 11/99 Australia 05/00 Hong Kong 06/00 Korea 08/00 India 09/00 Thailand 12/00 Malaysia 4/01 Sri Lanka 5/01 Thailand 5/01 Korea 9/01 Vietnam(3) 12/01 Philippines(3) 12/01 India 06/02 Indonesia(3) 06/02 China(3)
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Seminar Content

• Based on the EC Best Practice report seven
  barriers to entry
• Access
• Knowledge and skills
• Trust and confidence
• Language
• Security
• Legislation
• Financial

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Seminars during June 02

• Indonesia
• Partners
• Indonesia ICT Watch
• Atmajaya University and ICT Community in
  Jogjakarta, and ASEAN Law Student Association
  (ALSA)
• ICT Community in Padang

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Indonesia Seminar Sites
Map by courtesy of the CIA
Padang
Yogyakarta
Surabaya
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Survey Results - Indonesia

• Purpose for attending
• (43) to apply what I learn to my business
  activities
• (39) because the topics were of interest to me
• Usefulness of seminar
• (91) useful or very useful
• (92) would attend future seminars
• Topics of primary interest
• (35) business issues related to IT and EC
• (21) education and awareness
• Access to and use of Internet in work
  environment
• (67) have access to Internet at work
• (41) company currently has a presence on the
  Internet
• Access to and use of Internet in home
  environment
• (33) have access to Internet at home
• (28) have bought something over the Internet

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Seminars since TEL 25

• China
• Partners
• BUPT
• Xian Jiaotong University
• Huazhong Science and Technology University
• Zhongshan University. .

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China Seminar Sites
Xian
Guangzhou
Wuhan
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Survey Results China

• Purpose for attending
• (36) to apply what I learn to my business
  activities
• (43) because the topics were of interest to me
• Usefulness of seminar
• (77) useful or very useful
• (79) would attend future seminars
• Topics of primary interest
• (39) business issues related to IT and EC
• (14) viable business models and case studies
• Access to and use of Internet in work
  environment
• (84) have access to Internet at work
• (32) company currently has a presence on the
  Internet
• Access to and use of Internet in home
  environment
• (69) have access to Internet at home
• (38) have bought something over the Internet

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Summary of Seminar Findings

• The importance of a local host
• The opportunity for non-capital cities
• The need to educate SMEs/MEs
• The opportunity for a two-way experience
• Building on other activities in the economy
• Tailoring the content to local requirements
• Involving local speakers
• Bringing in International Speakers

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Summary Statistics Show

• Most people attended because (1) the topics were
  of interest and (2) they intended to apply what
  they learned to their business
• 80-90 of all attendees found the seminars to be
  useful/very useful and indicated they would
  attend future seminars
• A two-thirds majority have access to the Internet
  at work, but far fewer have access at home

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We couldnt have done this without

• FMMC (Japan)
• MPHPT (Japan)
• DFAT (Australia)
• Critical Path HK
• All supporting organizations in local economies

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SMEs and the New Economy

• Need to adopt the Internet
• Need to implement EC
• Why have SMEs been slow to adopt?

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EC Best Practice

• Review body of existing global research
• Distill and summarize barriers to adoption of EC
  by SMEs
• Focus on positive developments in the region and
  highlight best practice examples
• Provide viable business models
• http//www.aoema.org/EC-Best-Practice/

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AOEMAs Seven Barriers

• Access
• Knowledge and Skills
• Trust and Confidence
• Language
• Security
• Legislation
• Financial (payment mechanisms)

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Protecting Yourself in Todays Internet

• Safety Net Booklet
• Build on the work of the E Japan forum
• Funded by FMMC
• Supported by most government

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AOEMAs Safety Net

• To build trust and confidence in the online
  environment
• To help users understand the issues and learn how
  to prevent trouble
• Written in simple, non-technical, manner with
  specific take action steps
• Specifically intended for use by SMEs, even MEs

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Safety Net

• What is in it?
• 2 minute Safety Net test
• 4 questions
• How do I secure my computer?
• How do I protect personal data?
• How can I trust online transactions?
• How do I avoid trouble
• Guidelines

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Safety Net

• 2 minute Safety Net test
• 4 questions
• How do I secure my computer?
• How do I protect personal data?
• How can I trust online transactions?
• How do I avoid trouble?

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2-min Safety Net Test (page 4)

• Anti-virus software updated definitions
• Personal firewall installed
• Effective passwords
• Latest version all software programs
• Auto update selected
• Cookies setting on browser

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How do I secure my computer? (page 6)

• Personal Firewalls
• Monitoring family and business activity
• Passwords
• Software Updates
• Protect against Trojans
• Anti-virus software

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How do I protect my personal data? (page 6)

• Cookies
• Chat rooms, instant messaging, file sharing
• Privacy
• Public access
• Spam
• Spyware

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How can I trust online transactions? (page 6)

• Consumer Protection
• Digital Signatures
• Legal Issues
• Online Dispute Resolution
• Secure Web Pages

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How do I avoid trouble, etc? (page 6)

• Identity theft
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• Dumping
• Scams
• Defamation
• Stalking
• Spoofing

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Safety Net Guidelines (page 33)

• Email messages
• Mailing Lists
• Consumer-friendly websites
• Safe online buying
• Online auctions

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Reviewed

• SMEs and MEs and individuals
• Subject area experts
• Government departments

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Economy-specific pages

• Websites for more information and help
• Government laws and recommendations
• Additional resources such as consumer advocacy
  groups
• www.aoema.org/SafetyNet\Economy-Specific-Informati
  on\index.htm

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SafetyNet Training

• Customized week-long program
• Train the trainer workshop 1 full day
• Booklet translated and 10,000 copies
• Hands-on experience with users
• 2 half-day sessions for users

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Observations

• We are encouraging people to get on line but what
  are we doing to prepare them for the experience.
• Do we send young drivers onto the road without
  teaching them the ways to avoid accidents?
• Even if we tell people about the problems, do we
  do it in ways that are too technical for them?
• What will we do to spread the word and how much
  are we willing to spend on the effort.

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Conclusion

• The information is available.
• No one needs to recreate this
• People need to be made aware of its existence.
• We must do it in such a way that ensures people
  that it can still be a good experience to go
  on-line

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Thank you

• Michael Baker
• michael.baker_at_aoema.org