Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung (VJH)

This Special Issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics (Vierteljahrshefte 4-2000) takes up various impacts of information technology (IT) on economic development and structural change.

Seufert's paper on the development of the German IT sector deals with problems of measurement of IT goods and services as well as the use of IT in information-intensive industries. The following articles address impacts on employment (Selhofer) and qualification aspects (Bruniaux/Hansen/Steedman/Vignoles/Wagner). Three articles deal with the spatial and trade dimension of IT (Alecke/Untiedt, Fuchs, Leisink). Lehrer's paper discusses the development of the software industry by looking at German specialisation patterns and by studying business strategies. Mason/Wagner/Finegold/Keltner show detailed case studies concerning the influence of IT on productivity in service firms. The paper by Hjarup/Henten discusses whether the use of IT and communication devices leads to more volatile business relations, or whether closer relationships cause tighter links in networks. Djellal's contribution outlines the characteristics of and recent changes in non-informational services. Castelli/Gómez Barroso/Leporelli discuss the adequacy of proposed solutions in international regulatory bodies on telecommunication revenues between providers in different countries, in particular with respect to the participation of the poorer countries. The paper by Bach/Hubbert/Müller examines the options for tax policy on e-commerce against the background of existing taxation principles and impacts on competition.