U.S. Slides in IT Rankings Falls behind Finland and Singapore Tipped by Headtalk 
Several readers have submitted links to this year's World Economic Forum's "Networked Readiness Index" (see press release, the rankings in pdf format and executive summary). "Countries were judged on technological advancements in general business, the infrastructure available and the extent to which government policy creates a framework necessary for economic development and increased competitiveness," notes the BBC. While the United States ranked first last year, this year they've slipped to seventh place behind countries such as Singapore, Denmark and Finland. The report blames increased corporate interference in the judicial system, a lack of government leadership in IT and the low quality of math and science education as reasons for the slide.
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 RayWPremium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
kudos:1 | Schooling is one No child left behind is a good sentiment, but not all kids want or can handle high level schooling. So those who can are held back in learning to ensure all will receive a passing grade. (have a 14 year old in public school)
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I am not lost, I find myself every time. | |
|  | | | Re: Schooling is one as well as outsourcing | |
| |  antwanpBeyond FM, Beyond AM, XM Satellite RadioPremium
join:2002-05-14
Cedar Hill, TX
1 edit | No Child Left Behind is a huge mistake. It keeps the average students behind, thus widening the gap between the AP/Honors students and the average students. If a child needs to be left behind a grade, because of STANDARDIZED test scores, why should everyone be punished (as is the current system under NCLB). If there are any low test scores, teachers in states such as Texas freak out because the Texas Education Agency for some strange reason puts more weight on the failing one or two instead of the 15-25 passing students.
I know this isn't very PC, but there have always been three classes of students in modern American public education: Honors/Advanced Placement, your everyday college bound student, and the small majority that get held behind (smaller even than the AP classes).
Other countries embrace their scholars. They make going to college/university accessible to all. "If you're smart enough to make it in, we will help you pay!"
Heh, I can't say what I was going to say, but let's just say that the US Gov't doesn't do all that it can do to help get everyone that wants to, get into college. I was blessed to have parents pay/get scholarships to go. Some of my friends were not. What's sad is, some of them are smarter than me and it makes me feel sad or guilty. I don't know how to describe it.
Seeing this list doesn't surprise me, and it shouldn't surprise anyone else.
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The Perils of Living in 3-D: »www.antwanpayne.com | |
| | |  nixenRockin' the BoxenPremium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA | Re: Schooling is one When you change from a meritocracy to embracing mediocrity, you're doomed as a nation. | |
| | | |  gaforcesUnited We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA | Re: Schooling is one Yes! And its much easier to influence people who are uneducated. | |
| | | |  MaxoYour tax dollars at work.Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL | Meritocracy and mediocrity are neither synonyms or antonyms. So neither ensures the existence or lack thereof of the other. | |
| | | | | nixenRockin' the BoxenPremium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA | Re: Schooling is one said by Maxo:Meritocracy and mediocrity are neither synonyms or antonyms. So neither ensures the existence or lack thereof of the other. However, the choice of one over the other sets the destiny of your society - for good or ill.
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Everyday, thousands of new cars are delivered to their new owners with poorly-selected radio station presets. | |
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 Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 |  Unbiased evaluation or an anti-US political statement ??
The Networked Readiness Index, the sixth of its kind published by the World Economic Forum (Switzerland)with Insead, the Paris-based business school, scrutinised progress in 122 economies worldwide.
A deterioration of the political and regulatory environment in the US prompted the fall, the report said. How much of this rating was a political statement against US foreign policy??
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My BLOG
My Web Page | |
| | | | outsource outsource and away 1. Rampant outsourcing, thanks to bush and his cronies
2. Too much $$ for Iraq/war.
Initially they were justifying outsourcing, now they are crying foul about U.S falling behind. Can it be more funny. When you have the best CONgress that money can buy you should not whine about anything. | |
| | |  pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: outsource outsource and away <sarcasm>
said by nutcr0cker:1. Rampant outsourcing, thanks to bush and his cronies I know! Because no USA-based company dared to outsource ANY job whatsoever until 01/20/2001.
Amen to that. You would think that Congress would try to remedy that by putting all sorts of farm subsidies and other pork barrel projects in a war funding bill. That would be totally absurd!
</sarcasm>
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
| | | | cacoPremium
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK | Re: outsource outsource and away said by pnh102:<sarcasm> said by nutcr0cker:1. Rampant outsourcing, thanks to bush and his cronies I know! Because no USA-based company dared to outsource ANY job whatsoever until 01/20/2001. Amen to that. You would think that Congress would try to remedy that by putting all sorts of farm subsidies and other pork barrel projects in a war funding bill. That would be totally absurd! </sarcasm> LOL.
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www.seabee.org | |
| | | | | | The republicans aren't that much better really; Heck the party is home to the biggest pork barrel legislator of 'em all: Ted Tubes Stevens. So really, it's both sides that are screwed up. Why are people still complaining about outsourcing? How many times do we have to go through the economic reasons of why outsourcing in the end is a win win situation? It was more of a campaign issue anyway... | |
| | | | | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: outsource outsource and away said by krayzie bone:Why are people still complaining about outsourcing? How many times do we have to go through the economic reasons of why outsourcing in the end is a win win situation? I see. So to prove how great of a thing outsourcing is, would you be the first to voluntarily give up your job to someone in a foreign country who would do it for less, possibly under working conditions that you yourself would find deplorable?
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
| | | | | | Nuts65
join:2006-04-27
Forest, OH | Re: outsource outsource and away 3400 Circuit City employees are going to have to give up their jobs to other people here in the US who are willing to do their jobs for less or take pay cuts | |
| | | | | | | | | Re: outsource outsource and away OK what's your point? | |
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| | | | | | | Ok you are just looking at the social side of the issue. Yes, people do lose jobs, but that is just the short term outlook. If corporations/businesses are expected to grow, don't you think it would be a wise investment for these business to look elsewhere for cheaper labor? When businesses can cut costs and focus on their core, that allows them to invest more money back home. They can hire new engineers to develop more technology, they can cut costs for services that we use etc. Why do you think Dell computers are so cheap? they can cut costs on tech support, sales, etc. by outsourcing elsewhere. That savings in cost eventually comes back to us.
As far as work ethics go, even in this country, you have to work hard to get what you want. Nothing is given to you on a silver platter. People who jumped on the IT bandwagon a decade ago thought they would still have their jobs today. They are finding out the hard way that if they can't provide value to a company, why should a company pay them more for the same skill set and same qualifications as someone else who can do the same for cheaper?
I'm not in the IT field, but even if I was, what would voluntarily giving up my job prove? And why are you comparing the economy of a fully developed nation to that of one that is still growing? That's not a fair comparison. IT jobs in India compared to OTHER jobs in India are actually pretty good. In terms of Rupees, they are making a good living than most professions (except for your doctors, lawyers, etc.) and it is raising their standard of living. LOL deplorable working conditions? what are you talking about? care to provide a link rather than opening your mouth?
I suggest you take a look at the economic report of Gregory Mankiw in 2004. He is a Harvard economist, and very well respected in his field. He knows what he is talking about, and when he, and hundreds of other economists, conclude that Outsourcing is a win-win situation in the long term, I tend to believe his use of logic and reason, rather than the political, social, and emotional side of the issue that is blown up in the media. | |
| | | | | | | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: outsource outsource and away said by krayzie bone:Ok you are just looking at the social side of the issue. Yes, people do lose jobs, but that is just the short term outlook. If corporations/businesses are expected to grow, don't you think it would be a wise investment for these business to look elsewhere for cheaper labor? When businesses can cut costs and focus on their core, that allows them to invest more money back home. This reads like prose from my old economics textbook. When any company outsources jobs from one country to another, they are specifically not investing in the country losing the jobs.
said by krayzie bone:They can hire new engineers to develop more technology, they can cut costs for services that we use etc. Why do you think Dell computers are so cheap? they can cut costs on tech support, sales, etc. by outsourcing elsewhere. That savings in cost eventually comes back to us. Many IT companies which do this hire tons of engineers in foreign countries for cheap. They simply are not interested in hiring domestic talent. Bill Gates said so when he asked Congress to grant unlimited H1B visas.
Dell is a perfect example of outsourcing gone bad. They had to "re-insource" their business technical support because of issues with foreign CSRs. Their recent numbers have not looked good either.
said by krayzie bone:As far as work ethics go, even in this country, you have to work hard to get what you want. No one is disputing this.
said by krayzie bone:I'm not in the IT field, but even if I was, what would voluntarily giving up my job prove? Well, I am in the IT field, but you don't have to be in this field to learn about how badly outsourcing has destroyed people working in this sector. And as for you volunteering to give up your job to someone in a foreign country who'd do it for less, it would prove that you believe what you're saying about how great of a thing offshore outsourcing is.
said by krayzie bone:And why are you comparing the economy of a fully developed nation to that of one that is still growing? Yes. I have nothing against fair trade with other countries. The USA gains a lot by trading with Japan, South Korea, most of Europe and Canada. Each of these regions also gains from business done in the USA.
said by krayzie bone:That's not a fair comparison. IT jobs in India compared to OTHER jobs in India are actually pretty good. I have no objections to any country expanding its economy. However, why should it be the American worker that has to be sacrificed for this purpose? Many other countries were able to develop into rich and powerful nations without exploiting cheap labor. What nations have used only cheap labor and become rich in the process?
said by krayzie bone: In terms of Rupees, they are making a good living than most professions (except for your doctors, lawyers, etc.) and it is raising their standard of living. LOL deplorable working conditions? what are you talking about? care to provide a link rather than opening your mouth? Some foreign employers there do provide good pay and benefits, but this is not the case universally. Any employer in the USA which pulls some of this stuff (unless they're hiring illegals, which makes it ok), would be prosecuted.
»news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6162973.stm
»www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/55934.html
said by krayzie bone:I suggest you take a look at the economic report of Gregory Mankiw in 2004. He is a Harvard economist, and very well respected in his field. He knows what he is talking about ... I'm supposed to take the word of some ivory-tower elite who is probably tenured, and thus in no danger of losing his job? Please, be serious. If these people actually had to work in the real world, and were faced with the prospect of their livelihood disappearing forever, they would be singing a different tune.
We might as well go all the way in terms of offshore outsourcing, because US workers are so expensive. Of course, after the last job is outsourced out of the USA, who is going to have any money to buy all this "cheap great stuff" that these companies are making?
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
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1 edit | Re: outsource outsource and away It would take me a long time to explain everything, maybe it will help if I just pointed you in the right direction.
»www.phptr.com/articles/article.a···m=1&rl=1
Like I said earlier, if you work hard and play smart, you should have no reason to believe that you will be outsourced. If you provide value to a company whether it be by having a masters or an MBA and are able to apply those skills or any other factor, you have no worry. Most jobs that are being cut here in the US are relatively low paying jobs. True there are some very high paying white collar jobs that are being cut, but those are quite few relative to the low paying ones.
What we should do is help those who have lost jobs by giving them incentives to go back to school and learn newer skills. Not too sound so cliche, but technology is changing so fast. Computers will eventually take the job of skilled workers. But before that can happen, we will need skilled people who need to know how to operate said computers/technology. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Re: outsource outsource and away "Like I said earlier, if you work hard and play smart, you should have no reason to believe that you will be outsourced. If you provide value to a company whether it be by having a masters or an MBA and are able to apply those skills or any other factor, you have no worry. "
This doesn't make much sense within the context of your previous comments:
"They are finding out the hard way that if they can't provide value to a company, why should a company pay them more for the same skill set and same qualifications as someone else who can do the same for cheaper?"
Your latter comment suggests that skills and hard work don't really matter unless you are also willing to work for wages that, in this country, would be near the poverty line. An indian worker can live a middle class life on an income that, in america, wouldn't even cover many people's medical insurance costs. Telling people that it makes sense to move jobs to where people will work for a small fraction of what an american worker would have to earn to have a middle class life and then telling them that the problem is that they aren't hard working enough or need to get a better education and skill set strikes me as extremely cynical.
It's also very callous to make facile claims that everyone wins with outsourcing.
And by the way, I have to wonder how in touch you are with the real world when you suggest that having an mba is of much value in today's American job market. | |
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|  fatnesssubtleJanitor
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1 edit | basis for evaluation said by Romney2012:
How much of this rating was a political statement against US foreign policy??
quote:
Countries were judged on the integration of technology in business, the infrastructure available, government policy favourable for fostering a culture of innovation and progress and leadership in promoting the usage of the latest information technology tools.
The Networked Readiness Index, the sixth of its kind published by the World Economic Forum with Insead, the Paris-based business school, scrutinised progress in 122 economies worldwide.
Despite losing its top position, the US still maintained a strong focus on innovation, driven by one of the world's best tertiary education systems and its high degree of co-operation with industry, the report said.
The country's efficient market environment, conducive to the availability of venture capital, and the sophistication of financial markets, was also given recognition.
»news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6502725.stm
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Sure, that'll work.. | |
| | | | | Re: basis for evaluation DAMN! even the fucken brit's are makin fun of us... I blame BUSH! LOL, cuz he's the president/scapegoat | |
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 L337Premium
join:2005-03-10
Chicago, IL
 ·Comcast
| A business leader It won't be long until the United State falls, economy-wise. The fact most companies over-source their companies is sickening to me because I can even barely understand what the IT Techs says. If you're planning to stay on the phone with an IT Tech for 40 minutes perhaps it would be be nice if you can actually understand him/her? | |
| | L337Premium
join:2005-03-10
Chicago, IL Reviews:
·Comcast
| Re: A business leader I wish someone would just show a great influence of bring back the US economy to it's prime and fix the problems we have in the US. Instead of worrying about other countries, how about fixing the problems we have here first? It would be great if a celebrity like Bill Gate improve the US structure. I know many of you dislike him but he could do something about out-sourcing. | |
| | | gaforcesUnited We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA
1 edit | Re: A business leader said by L337:I wish someone would just show a great influence of bring back the US economy to it's prime and fix the problems we have in the US. Instead of worrying about other countries, how about fixing the problems we have here first? It would be great if a celebrity like Bill Gate improve the US structure. I know many of you dislike him but he could do something about out-sourcing. I really doubt that, Gates wants to bring people from out of the country to replace his workers that have been hired by google...
Actually ms has been doing that for a while, they are trying to make it so those people from out of the country can stay. | |
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| | All about Eurpean Bureaucracy "Countries were judged on technological advancements in general business, the infrastructure available and the extent to which government policy creates a framework necessary for economic development and increased competitiveness,"
This is a very biased rankings with the bias towards European style centralize planning. How about rating per contribution of internet business to countries GDP, the number of internet business and webpage’s per country. The US still have a dominate position.
This is pretentious to say that competitiveness and economic development can only occur through government centralized planning. We have ninety years to show differently. Often it is government interference that impedes competitiveness and innovation. | |
| |  DaMaGeINCThe Lan ManPremium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
kudos:2 | Re: All about Eurpean Bureaucracy Not this time. Big corps control the gov here in the US. I think if the Gov were to get involved, things might actually happen. I think all big corps should be broken down and a ban on lobbying. | |
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| |  I Blame Mexico!
FYI: The U.S. government WANTS you to stay uneducated....Trust me.... | |
| | jasso
join:2004-11-15
Chico, TX | Re: I Blame Mexico! How in the world does illegal immigration lead to poor education? Not every alien that doesn't speak english is an illegal. And the schools that have multi-lingual students usually have separate classes in their specific languages.
I hate when people assume all immigration is illegal. | |
| | | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: I Blame Mexico! said by jasso:How in the world does illegal immigration lead to poor education? Look at who pays for the schools used by the children of illegals and you will find out. The same thing also applies for any other public service exploited by illegals.
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
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| | | | | Re: I Blame Mexico! LOL I saw your Bill O'Reilly avatar, then it all became very clear  | |
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 calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA | What really causes problems.... I blame the shortage of tin-foil* hats for this....
calvoiper
* Yes, I know it's really aluminum these days.
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! | |
|  AlakarFacts do not cease to exist when ignored
join:2001-03-23
Milwaukee, WI | A Load of Crap These rankings don't mean squat. Lets look at a few figures here to put it in perspective.
1: Denmark - Area: 43,094 sq km Population: 5,450,661 GDP: $198.5 billion
2: Sweden - Area: 449,964 sq km Population: 9,016,596 GDP: $285.1 billion
3: Singapore - Area: 692.7 sq km Population: 4,492,150 GDP: $138.6 billion
4: Finland - Area: 338,145 sq km Population: 5,231,372 GDP: $171.7 billion
5: Switzerland - Area: 41,290 sq km Population: 7,523,934 GDP: $252.9 billion
6: Netherlands - Area: 41,526 sq km Population: 16,491,461 GDP: $512 billion
Total: Area 914,712 sq km Population: 48,206,174 GDP: 1.559 trillion
7: US - Area: 9,826,630 sq km Population: 298,444,215 GDP $12.98 trillion
»www.cia.gov/cia/publications/fac···dex.html
Number of US Broadband Users: 95,000,000 as of Feb 2006
»www.nielsen-netratings.com/pr/pr_060314.pdf
It's crap because you can't compare these tiny countries to the US. Is 1/10th of the US wired? Because combined these countries are about 1/10th of the US's land area. Do these countries have 100% Broadband penetration? If they do, it is still half of the number of broadband users the US has. The top 6 US companies have more revenues then the GDP's of these countries. If they have 6000 out of 10000 business's with advanced systems they are at 60% while we may have 20,000 out of 100,000 and we are at 20% even though we have almost 4 times more. The scale has to be taken into account and it never is in these rankings.
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"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom; it is the arguments of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." William Pitt the Younger | |
|  batterupI Can Not Tell A Lie.Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Things I found out while looking up something else. 100 Meg for $32, they are pissing on your leg and telling you it is raining.
quote:
The Korea Communications Commission yesterday fined the nation's three major broadband operators a total of 2.8 billion won ($2.97 million) for their unfair business activities against consumers.
»www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.a···id=64885 | |
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