Image and Enterprise:
Local Prosperity in a Global Networked Economy

Synopsis: In the new networked economy there are two kinds of jobs or work opportunities: "locally fixed" and "teleworkable". Some individuals with in-demand skills can telecommute; they are less dependent on the local economy for their work opportunities. Some businesses can globalise their markets. But most people and businesses will still depend for their jobs or their success on a more local economy. The availability of local employment, work opportunities and business opportunities depends increasingly on the overall success of a locality in establishing positive trading relationships through the networked economy. "Image" and "Enterprise" are critical factors in this. Local communities can - and in order to prosper, they must - understand, monitor and enhance the effectiveness of their image and the extent to which they are attract outside enterprise and breed local entrepreneurs.

Uploaded 17th May 1999


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Table of Contents

Introductory slide

The goal: a successful local economy (model showing virtuous circles in a local economy)

Local prosperity: a definition

We are (already) in a global economy . . . (trade as % of GDP)

. . . at lots of different levels (an individual or a village (or a small firm) interacts locally, nationally, globally)

The “networked economy” is inevitable because of its compelling characteristics:

We need to broaden our understanding of how a local economy works (introducing key teleactivities)

Tele-activities: TTT as the core applications for success in a global networked economy

But . . . teleactivities cut both ways; we need to understand the subtleties

Two kinds of work/trade opportunities: "locally fixed" and "teleworkable"

Work is locally fixed in two ways: either personal presence is essential, or it is valued by the customer; but growth is focused in teleworkable opportunities

Local availability of “work opportunities” relates to relative local affluence

Availability of “work opportunities” - linked to underlying factors

Availability of “work opportunities” - linked to "market effectiveness" of local workforce

Leveraging work/trade opportunities: the impact of local factors

Availability of “work opportunities” - a virtuous circle . . .

. . . or a vicious spiral

The message of this model: key issues fo local communities, local economic developers

Image and Enterprise: slef image and projected image; propensity to initiate

Image - any person, any place can become prominent in the networked economy

The message for local economic developers

Messages for local communities:

Influencing the future availability of work and trade opportunities: we can influence the future and how it affects us but we cannot stop or even slow the transition

Follow-up contact information

 Author: Horace Mitchell

Email: eto-info@eto.org.uk

Home Page: http://www.eto.org.uk

Other information:
For discussion on these and related issues: European Telework Online Forum: http://webboard.eto.org.uk/~telework

Download presentation source (PowerPoint97; 99kb)

This page address: http://www.eto.org.uk/etd/files/imge9905/index.htm
Last updated: 17th May 1999