Economist e-readiness rankings

New Economist e-readiness rankings out. The report ranks countries according to how amenable they are to the conduct of e-business. For example they include factors such a the citizens' ability to utilise technology skillfully, the transparency of its business and legal systems, and the extent to which governments encourage the use of digital technologies. Infrastructural considerations are important too-- availability of broadband and (a new one) penetration of hotspots. Ireland is 15th on the list (up one place from last year) and the UK is 5th (down three places). Denmark is top of the list, with the US second.