EWork in Southern Europe. IES Report.

Part of the EMERGENCE project to measure and map employment relocation in a global economy in the new communications environment, this report on eWork in southern Europe (SE) combines results of a European employer survey, case studies, and data from other sources. Chapter 1 analyzes national and sector dimensions. Chapter 2 studies eWork practice in SE countries--Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Comparative analysis of eWork variables is used to outline country profiles and identify similarities and differences in operative behavior. Chapters 3 and 5-7 focus on eWork and information and communication technology in individual countries. Chapter 4 concerns general dynamics of employment relocation in the Iberian Peninsula. General findings are the following: (1) SE context (except Portugal) demonstrates a diffusion of eWork higher than the European average, a result balanced both for sector and company size; (2) eWork is most prevalent in software and creative activities; (3) the most commonly found form of eWork is outsourced eServices; (4) the high propensity to outsource explains the relatively high diffusion of eWork; (5) eOutsourcing's objective is to exploit technical specialization to get a higher quality; (6) when operating mostly in an adjacent geographical area, contractor companies do not resort to eOutsourcing due to a radically different cost structure; and (7) when seeking suppliers for outsourced eServices, a minority of companies turn to foreign partners. (YLB)