I welcome your comments and opinions as well as your suggestions for column topics. Increasing the effectiveness of technology transfer has strategic implications for both nations and companies. One of the fundamental tasks necessary for conducting business internationally is to establish appropriate information technology platforms . Five important dimensions configuration of value chain activities, coordination of those activities, centralization, strategic alliances, and market integration have important implications for evaluating current and designing future business information systems. The legal aspects of negotiation are important when companies and individuals set up international alliances.
Strategic alliances are much more effective when parties discuss the legal aspects early on.
Obstacles to labor mobility are undermining competitiveness among European Union countries. These obstacles include vagaries of schooling, taxes, and pensions. Plans are currently being developed to promote a more mobile European labor market by 2005. Experiences of engineers from other countries can provide us with innovative insights into engineering practices that we can consider applying to our own careers, and that may enrich our personal lives. Terrance Malkinson is a documentation specialist with GE Capital IT Solutions.