The Bled eConference quite often gets connected to the notion of eRegion. Therefore in this paper we will have a closer look at how the idea of an eRegion has been addressed by the conference over the past. After briefly looking at the emergence of the term eRegion, we summarize the contribution of the Bled eConference to the field of eRegion in the Research Track as well as in the Business Track. Whereas in the Research Track contributions have focussed mostly on developing existing regions through ICT means, the Business Track activities tackle especially cross-border challenges between regions.

1. The Use of ICT to Support Regional
Developments: Contributions from the
Bled eConference
(Paper: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2089301)
Hans-Dieter Zimmermann
25th Bled eConference, 18. June 2012
www.bledconference.org

2. Agenda
Introduction
The Notion of eRegion
Regional issues addressed in the Research Track
… in the Business Track
Summary and Outlook
2

3. Introduction
During the last 25 years the Bled eConference has addressed – and is
still addressing – the relationship and impact of ICT and business and
society
Since he beginning of the 90s the ‘e’-terms have been coined
 eCommerce and eBusiness
 …
 eMarketing, eCRM, eHR, etc.
 …
 eHealth, eGovernment, eDemocracy, eSociety
 E-Everything – topic of the 14th Bled eConference in 2001
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4. Introduction
One further focus:
 Utilizing ICT and especially the Web in a geographical setting with
a focus on the further development and support of defined
geographical areas or regions
 The Bled eConference quite often gets connected to the notion of
eRegion
 Therefore we will have a closer look of how the idea of an eRegion
has been addressed by the conference in the past
4

5. Approach
Looking into the papers of the Research Track from 1995 to 2011
Looking at the corresponding activities in the Business Track covering
the years from 2001 to 2011
… based of some great analysis provided by Roger Clarke
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6. The Notion of eRegion
Beyond the Bled eConference the term eRegion has not been applied
frequently in the literature
Search on databases reveals mostly authors which are closely
connected to the Bled eConference
“As a concept, eRegion denotes Information Technology (IT)-supported
initiatives that transcend traditional borders and boundaries.”
(Gricar et al. 2007)
eRegion understood as “… an information and communication
technology (ICT) supported region. […]
From a technological perspective, an eRegion integrates the issues of
regional development with the opportunities and challenges coming
from the latest technologies” (Gricar 2007, 86).
… adding additional perspectives on eRegion such as the political,
academic, or organizational perspectives
6

7. The Notion of eRegion
eRegion does not refer to political or administrative borders
 eRegion refers to a region rather based on similarities such as cultural
or historical developments, e.g. based on historical trade relations or
common language
 Transcending traditional borders is one of the major motivations as well
as challenges developing eRegion activities in Europe triggering
respective discussions and projects
 Example: The initiative in the Bodensee area starting in 1994
But:
Cross-border attribute reflects a rather European viewpoint
Further motivation: the competitiveness of rural regions
 Mainly strategic purposes of eRegion activities
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8. eRegion - Two distinct streams
Activities are triggered by the intention to stimulate the adoption of ICT
among businesses within a region
 Mostly economic focus
 Examples:
 Development and provision of a regional (B2B) portal
 Regional programs and activities to support the adoption of ICT in general or
of eCommerce applications more specifically
 Mainly focused in the Research Track
Activities encourage inter-linkage among regional organisations and
institutions in order to provide the basis for future competitive advantages
within an eRegion
 Examples:
 ALADIN network, the ALpe ADria INitiative Universities’ Network
 Internationale Bodenseehochschule IBH
 Mainly focused in the Business Track
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9. Regional issues addressed in the Research Track
A total of 18 (16) papers addressing any regional or geographical
aspect presented between 1995 and 2011 have been identified
 The term eRegion as such does appear just in one single paper
throughout the Bled eConference proceedings
Addressed regions in …
 Australia (10)
 UK
 Slovenia
 Ireland
 Singapore
9

10. … Temporal Breakdown
 no specific path of development
10

11. … Main Subjects
eCommerce (9)
business networks/ communities of practice (3)
mCommerce (1)
broadband infrastructure (1)
 Focus on pilots, projects, prototypes, and/ or programs and initiatives
within a certain region
and …
 Overall perspective on business and/or regional development
 Cross-border issues have not been addressed in papers
11

12.  Most papers conclude a rather positive impact of the different
activities
 Only one paper presents the analysis of a failure
 Empirical studies have not been presented so far
 All papers have applied different methods of qualitative research
 … mostly case studies
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13. Regional issues addressed in the Business Track
From the 2001 to 2011 around 40 activities
From 2006 to 2008: 20 respective events
Event formats:
 Meetings (20)
 Panels (13)
 Workshops (7)
Contributors from business and government
13

14. 14

15. … Main Topics
 cross border commerce and trade in general (11)
 eInvoicing
 eProcurement
 cross border cooperation in the area of eGovernment
 cross border cooperation of universities
 rectors’ and dean’s summits
 eUniversity forums
 Meetings of the ALADIN network (5)
(ALpe ADria INitiative Universities’ Network)
 Meetings of the eSilk & eAmber Roads Innovative Regions Think
Tank (6)
 Living Lab workshops (since 2011)
15

16. … Main Purposes
 to exchange and to discuss experiences in cross border activities
 to develop new paths for cooperation and activities
 in a business context
 in an administrative or governmental environment
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17. Summary and Outlook
Regional issues have been addressed quite intense on different levels
and from different perspectives such as research, business, and
government and administration
Addressing of the transformation of regions, states including business
related, administrative and educational infrastructures
 Natural task of the Bled eConference conference
Open question:
To what extent has the Bled eConference contributed to the
transformation of the country and the region?
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18. … Summary and Outlook
Challenges to overcome existing borders
 We have the borderless Internet
 But:
There are still a lot of political, administrative, and also mental
borders which hinder a closer cooperation of people, businesses,
universities, and governments on local, regional and national areas to
the benefit of a certain region.
 One of the follow up activities:
 The ‘Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the
Danube eRegion’
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19. … Summary and Outlook
Missing: Systematic evaluation of activities
 Looking at the Business Track activities from a research perspective:
what are the benefits?
 More empirical research addressing the topics of the Research Track
 eRegion related activities of both tracks could be benefit from each
other
 A systematic evaluation would be valuable to allocate future EU
projects and initiatives often funded by tax payers even more
targeted
19

20. Contact
Hans-Dieter Zimmermann
FHS St. Gallen University of Applied Sciences
Institute for Information and Process Management IPM-FHS
Teufener Strasse 2, 9000 St. Gallen, Schwitzerland
Tel. +41 71 228 7650
hansdieter.zimmermann@fhsg.ch
www.esociety.net , @FHS_eSociety
www.fhsg.ch/ipm
www.hdzimmermann.net, blog.hdzimmermann.net, @hdzimmermann