Title: Local e-governance applications in support of entrepreneurship policy: the case of Thessaloniki metropolitan area

Authors: Christina Kakderi, Artemios Kourtesis

Addresses: Spatial Development Research Unit, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 491, Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Regional Development and Policy Research Unit, Department of Economics, University of Macedonia, 540 06, Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: Information and communication technologies (ICT) affect many aspects of the contemporary communities and constitute a powerful means for the implementation of policies at the urban-metropolitan level. Using data both from bibliographic survey and from interviews of representatives of selected stakeholders responsible for the formulation, regulation/coordination and implementation of entrepreneurship policy at the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, we seek to draw conclusions on the level of relevant ICT use, the existence – and level of development – of e-governance applications, the benefits and problems related to their adoption/use, patterns of horizontal and vertical cooperation among stakeholders, etc. In addition, we provide a mapping of the local landscape concerning online services to businesses within the study area, revealing certain patterns across the different stakeholders.

Keywords: e-governance; innovation; entrepreneurship policy; metropolitan areas; multidimensional networks; Thessaloniki; Greece; electronic governance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2009.022731

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.423 - 442

Published online: 25 Jan 2009 *

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