The Information Economy unit (www.oecd.org/information-economy) examines the economic and social implications of the development, diffusion and use of ICTs, the Internet and e-commerce. It analyses ICT policy frameworks shaping economic growth, productivity, employment and business performance.

Analytical work includes studying the impact of business-to-business electronic commerce on the competitiveness of firms and market structure, the supply, demand and development of ICT skills and human resources, the "digital divide" across and within countries, and rapidly evolving areas such as the software sector.

Understanding and analysing the digital networked economy requires new measurement tools and new statistics. The OECD has developed definitions and methodologies for the ICT sector and electronic commerce and compiles data on their development in OECD Member countries.

This work contributes to development and understanding of policies to meet the opportunities and challenges of ICTs, electronic commerce and the Internet, and to ensuring that benefits are widely shared. Results appear in the biennial "OECD Information Technology Outlook", in occasional publications and on the OECD Web site.

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