Net Benefit: Guaranteed Electronic Markets: The Ultimate Potential Of Online Trade (macmillan Business)

This book explores the possible creation and impact of electronic markets underpinned by government. How far could electronic trade go? The author outlines a world in which open online marketplaces are routinely used to trade everything from office space to bicycle rental between individuals. Each transaction would be guaranteed by the system, not the reputation of the seller. Anyone could enter the market as an equal. The author argues that the electronic marketplaces of the future will have widespread and fundamental economic and social consequences. For more information about Guaranteed Electronic Markets visit the Gems Website at www.gems.org.uk Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-16 Front Matter....Pages 17-18 Demonstration: booking overnight accommodation in a GEM....Pages 19-26 Growing the new markets....Pages 27-29 The system’s relationship with users....Pages 30-32 Demonstration: connected transactions — hiring a van and driver in GEMs....Pages 33-38 Contractual chains....Pages 39-42 Easy access to capital....Pages 43-46 Would populations start to use a GEMs system?....Pages 47-52 Front Matter....Pages 55-55 The effect of GEMs on business: a decline in big institutions....Pages 57-62 GEMs and employment: the rise of portfolio working....Pages 63-80 GEMs and society: new initiatives made easy....Pages 81-101 GEMs’ impact on parliament: technologically literate politicians and small government....Pages 102-113 A country with GEMs in a global economy: international advantage....Pages 114-117 Front Matter....Pages 121-123 Could there be a backlash against electronic shopping?....Pages 125-141 How a government could instigate GEMs....Pages 142-148 Opposition to public markets....Pages 149-159 Which countries would have most to gain from a GEMs launch?....Pages 160-164 Front Matter....Pages 169-171 Innovation becomes decisive....Pages 173-180 Prepare to let go of customers....Pages 181-182 Exploit the flexibility now on offer....Pages 183-186 Conclusion: Electronic markets as a public utility....Pages 189-191 Back Matter....Pages 237-240 This text explores the possible creation and impact of electronic markets underpinned by government. How far could electronic trade go? The author outlines a world in which open online marketplaces are routinely used to trade everything from office space to bicycle rental between individuals. Each transaction would be guaranteed by the system, not the reputation of the seller. Anyone could enter the market as an equal. The author argues that the electronic marketplaces of the future will have widespread and fundamental economic and social consequences