Triple bookkeeping
Article Abstract:
The European Community (EC) has had to write off billions of European Currency Units of money used for non-existent and non-accountable training and educational programs because it lacks control over funding given to member countries. The financial muddle is a result of the EC's inability to coordinate with member governments and its limited legal power to track spending. Anticipated growth of the EC over the next years suggests even more opportunity for fraud to occur. The Commission of the European Communities has started a new program to clean up its bureaucracy. Financial regulations have been revised to force coordination of projects, and computerization is being introduced to standardize member-state reporting. The Commission has also created a new body solely focused on anti-fraud efforts which might be able to take action in national courts against fraud.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1988
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Taking care of the little guy
Article Abstract:
Small to medium-sized business enterprises (SMEs) make up 80% of the businesses in the European Community, but most SMEs are not prepared for the changes that will result from the creation of the Internal Market in 1992. An SME task force has created two programs to promote information, expertise, and market cooperation between SMEs in the 12 member states. The first program created 40 'Euro Info Centres' which gather and route sources of European Community information referring to SMEs. The centers distribute policy and financial information, help businesses participate in programs, and foster communication between participants. The second program created the Business Cooperation Network (BC-Net). BC-Net helps match SMEs with partners abroad using a computer which can access a central database in Brussels, Belgium.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1988
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Tower of Babel
Article Abstract:
It is not yet feasible for European firms to make full use of advances in office automation technology because of varying telecommunications standards and regulatory frameworks, high rates, and a mixture of old and new telecommunications infrastructures. Another problem in Europe can be difficulty in securing the transmission lines on which office automation systems are so dependent. Further obstacles to automated communication in Europe include the poor quality of available services and the cost and irrationality of prices. Public telephone transmission lines are still considered too 'dirty' for effective conveyance of large bundles of information.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1988
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