IP: NEW GLOBAL STUDY EXPLORES GOVERNANCE, DIGITAL ECONOMY

[Dave Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

IBM, Electronic Data Systems, and Hewlett-Packard have announced 
that they will sponsor the $4 million "Governance in the Digital 
Economy" study. The tech vendors, along with key governmental 
agencies, will examine the role of the Internet in governmental 
processes and procedures, as well as larger issues involving the 
Internet and democratic institutions and societies. The study 
will be directed by Don Tapscott, an independent consultant 
Vice President Al Gore has called a leading cyber guru. 
Tapscott says, "There is a historical relationship between the 
distribution of knowledge and the distribution of power. I 
think the state may change quite radically." IBM Institute 
for Electronic Government director Janet Caldow says it is 
important for vendors to understand how technology affects 
government, from the perspective of government users. EDS senior 
vice president Louis Matrone says, "Many of the issues we face 
are not just technical, but also organizational, legal, and 
process related. We're focused on the transformation of 
government." (Washington Technology 05/10/99)