eWORK2002

This report on the status of "eWork" development in Europe demonstrates continued progress in a new phase of European co-operation in the shift to a digital, knowledge-based economy.

The new common policy framework: agreed at the Lisbon Summit in March 2000 - to make Europe "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy, capable of sustained economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion" - is now reinforced by the agreements in Stockholm and Goteborg. Substantial progress towards this goal has been realised through implementation of the e-Europe Action Plan in 2000.

The new phase of European co-operation is also supported by the 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technology development, notably in the Key Action on "New Methods of Work". European projects are now underway and their first results are described in this report.

This new phase also has the broader scope of "ework" development for a substantial proportion of the European workforce. This includes continued development of telework, with its now proven benefits of flexibility in time and place. However, it now includes a greater concern for the “quality of work” and anticipates the revolution in work for most people as new wireless and display technologies change office equipment and design, and as the nature of work itself changes in a knowledge economy where the creativity and innovation became more important than simple productivity in routine tasks.

It must also now reflect the linkage between the transition to a knowledge economy and the achievement of sustainable development.

This report is again the joint effort of many people across Europe. We hope that it will be both a point of reference and a source of inspiration.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.