Comprehensive assessment of networked readiness, covering eighty-two of the leading economies of the world.

The Global information Technology is published by the World Economics Forum where it is a special project within the framework of the Global Competitiveness Programme. The GITR is the result of a collaboration between the World Economics Forum, infoDev and INSEAD. Firs published in 2001, The global Information Technology Report has become the most authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the networked readiness of national economies araund the world. The Report has since expanded its coverage this year to 102 countries, The Report, which captures new insights and best serve as a tollo for policymakers and business leaders. The overall goal of the Reports is to establish a process whereby key stakeholders con evaluate progress on a continual basis.

The annual Global Competitiveness Report is widely recognized as the world's leading cross-country comparison of data and information relating to economic competitiveness and growth. Over the years, the Report has become the most authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the comparative strengths and weaknesses of national economies throughout the world. The World Economic Forum continues its tradition of excellence with The Global Competitiveness Report 2002-2003, which provides the most updated and recent data, rankings and analysis of 75 industrialized and emerging economies and the latest thinking and research from prominent academics and international institution leaders on global competitiveness. This year's report begins by presenting the widely quoted global competitive index that really comprises two indices-one for growth and one for productivity. It then provides global and regional analyses, with examinations of the competitive landscapes of Africa., Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America. Essays on a wide range of special topics follow, including national innovative capacity, governance, foreign direct investment, and trade performance. The Report concludes with detailed country profiles, data presentation and an exhaustive survey of senior business executives that touches on business conditions, infrastructure, the character of the regulatory regime, the quality of government, organized labor, corruption and tax evasion. The Global Competitiveness Report 2002-2003 provides essential information for business leaders, government decision-makers and for academics to examine the critical challenges facing a multitude of the world's economies.

The use and application of ICT continues to be an important factor driving economic growth. The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with INSEAD, is pleased to announce the release of its fourth edition of the annual Global Information Technology Report - a comprehensive tool for measuring the progress of and identifying the obstacles to ICT development in over 100 countries worldwide. The Networked Readiness Index of the report provides the most comprehensive assessment of how prepared an economy is to capture the benefits of technology to promote economic growth and productivity. This study explicitly considers the roles played by the major stakeholders - individuals, businesses and governments, in relation to three dimensions: the environment for the development and use of ICT, the readiness of stakeholders to leverage the potential of ICT, and the degree of usage of ICT. The selection of essays, detailed country profiles for 104 economies and data tables on 70 different ICT indicators presented in the report provide a useful guide for the design and structure of policy measures for the key ICT stakeholders, individuals, businesses, and governments, in order to capture the benefits of ICT.

Published for the sixth consecutive year, The Global Information Technology Report has become the world's most eminent assessment of the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the development and competitiveness of nations, as well as a powerful tool for business leaders and policymakers.

"This collection compiles research in all areas of the global information domain. It examines culture in information systems, IT in developing countries, global e-business, and the worldwide information society, providing critical knowledge to fuel the future work of researchers, academicians and practitioners in fields such as information science, political science, international relations, sociology, and many more"--Provided by publisher.