Товч агуулга:The recent development of the European economies has been characterized by a continuous shift towards services in general and towards producer services in particular.
During a period of often lacklustre economic growth the dynamism in communications, in finance and in business services such as consultancy or information management has been remarkable. Yet the service sector, and especially producer services, were long neglected by economists and policy makers.
This book provides a detailed description and analysis of the service sector and the reasons for its growth. It is argued that the growing demand for producer services (whether 'in-house' or external) is caused mainly by the emergence of computer-based technology affecting the production of goods and indeed of services. The advance of flexible over mass-production, for example, requires an increased input of services.
The prosperity of Europe is affected by the competitiveness of its producer service industries. The need for a general EC policy towards services is stressed, which would promote the adaption of the labour force to the demands of an information society; reduce tax and regulatory distortions; and establish an adequate telecommunications infrastructure.
