Title: E-certification: financial analysis and European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Hellas case

Authors: Vasileios Terzis, Anastasios A. Economides

Addresses: University of Macedonia, Information Systems Department, Egnatia Street 156, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Information Systems Department, University of Macedonia, Egnatia Street 156, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: The difficult economic situation demands very careful investments plans in education. This paper presents a financial analysis of the e-certification branch. It uses financial ratios in order to measure the liquidity, the activity, the debt and the profitability of the enterprises in the branch. Then it applies these ratios to a case study regarding European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Hellas. Moreover, it performs a feasibility analysis for a new entrant in the e-certification market. Using cost-benefit analysis the paper measures the benefit-cost ratio, the payback period, the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR) and the break-even point for a new investment in the e-certification branch. Finally, it concludes regarding the present and the future of the e-certification branch in Greece. This paper can be helpful in other business cases in education.

Keywords: e-learning; e-certification; computer based testing; CBT; financial analysis; European Computer Driving Licence; ECDL; Greece; electronic learning; online learning; electronic certification; cost-benefit analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2010.034445

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2010 Vol.1 No.4, pp.348 - 365

Published online: 04 Aug 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article