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OECD Reviews of Digital Transformation: Going Digital in Colombia

News on innovation, science, technology and industry

Every month, this newsletter delivers the latest reports, statistics and policy recommendations from the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Understanding online consumer ratings and reviews

This paper takes stock of recent developments related to online consumer ratings and reviews and their effects on consumer behaviour. It provides an overview of key consumer benefits and risks associated with user-generated feedback, and identifies consumer policy challenges, including misleading and deceptive practices, a lack of accuracy, and consumer biases.

Good practice guide on online consumer ratings and reviews

Building on the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Consumer Protection in E-Commerce, this paper aims to provide practical guidance to businesses on online consumer ratings and reviews. It focuses on four areas: (i) fake ratings and reviews; (ii) incentivised ratings and reviews; (iii) negative ratings and reviews; and (iv) misleading moderation practices.

Operators and their future: State of play and emerging business models

This report analyses different models for how operators may provide access to communication services over the next five to ten years.

Innovation ecosystems in the bioeconomy

Building on qualitative case studies and interviews, this study reveals the diverse ways countries are seeking to achieve goals set by national bioeconomy strategies and policies. It generates both common and country-specific insights that can enable the transition from a fossil-based economy to a more sustainable one.

Southeast Asia Going Digital: Connecting SMEs

An essential element for SMEs to “go digital” is connectivity. This report analyses the state of connectivity in Southeast Asia (i.e. access to high-quality communication networks and services at affordable prices) and how SMEs benefit from accessing and using digital tools. It provides policy recommendations to foster an enabling environment for SMEs in the region to help make their digital transformation a success.

Roundtable on secondary ticket markets: Summary of discussion

Secondary ticket markets are raising various consumer issues in multiple jurisdictions. There are a number of potential policy responses available, as discussed at a roundtable organised by the Committee on Consumer Policy in April 2019 at which countries shared their experiences.

Roundtable on digital assistants and voice controlled e-commerce: Summary of discussion

Consumers are increasingly using digital assistants to undertake a range of tasks including voice-controlled e-commerce. Such functionality, which uses artificial intelligence, algorithms and consumer data, has the potential to raise new benefits but also risks for consumers, as discussed at a roundtable organised by the Committee on Consumer Policy with representatives from online platforms, academia, and civil society in April 2019.

Challenges to consumer policy in the digital age

This OECD background report for the September 2019 G20 International Conference on Consumer Policy focuses on six policy areas of particular importance: adjusting policy to rapidly changing technologies; cross-border co-operation; impact of product recalls; dispute resolution and redress; the role of consumer protection agencies in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals; and protecting vulnerable consumers in the digital age.