The nature and number of the replies to the questionnaire indicate that respondents welcomed the opportunity to take part in the ERA debate. Moreover, the contributions allow the Commission to go beyond its preliminary analysis. Indeed, they provide more detailed appraisals of the situation-as perceived by the contributors, they highlight strengths, they identify and analyse weaknesses, they formulate suggestions, and, most importantly, the contributions express the most pressing concerns of the respondents. The present document therefore offers an overview and a summary of the answers received until 31 July 2000. The responses reflect the great diversity that exists among European businesses and industries.
Most contributions reveal the perception of the business environment as rapidly changing.
Some find it difficult to predict. Some replies qualify as self-focused, while most of them look at the broader picture. Some deal almost exclusively with the traditional bottom-line, while others include in their measure of success human and environmental considerations, indicating a clear sense of social responsibility with, in some instances, a distinctive touch of social activism. Finally, some contributions communicate a relatively simple view of reality, while most paint a picture of their environment as complex and, consequently, offer systemic approach to analysis. The first four sections follow the structure of the questionnaire.