Cybersecurity has justifiably become a front-burner policy concern for governments around the world. But what happens when security regulations are effectively used to bolster the prospects of local firms at the expense of foreign competitors? We are starting to find out, especially in emerging markets, where many governments have recently begun implementing security-related measures that [...]
Read MoreWhen “Security” Regulations Overreach
There isn't an image in here yet
The New Wave of IT-Focused Trade Barriers, Another Case Study: Discriminatory Procurement Policies
There isn't an image in here yet
Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sent a letter to the Indian government, expressing alarm at “unprecedented interference” in the procurement processes of government and commercial entities in India. The letter stated, in part, that “This policy will undermine investor confidence and would be inconsistent with India’s international obligations, as well as, [...]
Read MoreThe New Wave of IT-Focused Trade Barriers, a Case Study: Regulatory Obstacles to Cloud Computing
There isn't an image in here yet
This week BSA released “Lockout,” a report that shows how a new wave of IT-focused trade barriers threaten to keep global companies out of critical emerging markets — and how the actions of big markets like China and India signal a domino effect, with other emerging economies following suit. The report describes five distinct types [...]
Read MoreLockout: How a New Wave of Trade Protectionism Is Spreading through the World’s Fastest-Growing IT Markets — and What to Do about It
There isn't an image in here yet
We have reached a pivotal new phase in the information technology revolution. The biggest centers of growth for IT products and services are no longer established powers like the United States and Europe, but emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil. New personal computer sales in China already outstrip sales in the United States, [...]
Read MoreIndia’s Opportunity to Accelerate IT Growth
There isn't an image in here yet
After a week of meetings with policymakers and business leaders in New Delhi, I leave convinced India is on the right path to achieve its goal of becoming a power center in the global IT economy. As I noted a few days ago, the country is moving rapidly up the leader board in IT industry
Read MorePartnering to Strengthen India’s IT Ecosystem
There isn't an image in here yet
“Technology has transformational power,” the Government of India declares in its 2011 National Policy on Information Technology. “It is a great leveler of opportunity within and across economies.” This observation is undeniably true, and India is well on its way to achieving its aspiration of harnessing technology innovation to become one of the world’s leading [...]
Read MoreDear Supercommittee, Leverage IT for Deficit Reduction
There isn't an image in here yet
The closely watched deliberations of the so-called “supercommittee” on deficit reduction represent an inflection point, not just for congressional efforts to rein in federal deficits and begin paying down America’s public debt, but also for the growth prospects of the US economy. The supercommittee’s assignment is no easy task, to be sure, but it offers [...]
Read MoreUS Maintains Leadership in IT Industry Competitiveness
There isn't an image in here yet
For countries seeking to develop globally competitive information technology sectors, the secret to success isn’t much of a secret: You need a healthy business environment, first-rate IT infrastructure, dynamic human capital, robust research and development, a strong legal environment, and adequate public support for industry development.
Read MoreIn Federal IT Policy, It’s Now “Cloud First”
There isn't an image in here yet
The federal government’s effort to close the IT gap between the public and private sectors will put cloud computing first, OMB Deputy Director for Management and Chief Performance Officer Jeffrey Zients announced Friday. Zients, who revealed the broad outlines of a five-part Obama administration proposal to increase the efficiency of the federal government, said that [...]
Read MoreA Jolt of Stimulus for Local Economies
There isn't an image in here yet
The software industry and trade officials who negotiate on software matters at times face incredulity when we encourage countries to step up enforcement of intellectual property rights. Some skeptical officials wonder (even if they don’t say aloud), “What’s in it for us?” They assume — falsely — that enforcing intellectual property rights boosts the profits of multinational firms that create software products but provides no significant benefit to a local economy where the software is being sold.
A new study from BSA and IDC shows that couldn’t be further from the truth. Reducing software theft actually sends ripples of stimulus through local economies. The new study finds that a 10-percentage-point drop in worldwide software piracy over four years would inject more than $142 billion into the global economy, create nearly 500,000 jobs and generate $32 billion in tax revenues. What’s more, 82 percent of those benefits would accrue inside the countries that achieve the piracy reductions.
Read MoreFollow BSA: 
