Exploring the role of industrial districts to design and implement age-aware e-services and policies

Abstract

We examine the basic issues concerning the interplay of ICT-IS with an ageing society and the 'e-Inclusion' strategy de-veloped by the European Union (EU). We claim that, because of their innovative traits, Italian industrial districts represent appropriate environments for the imple-mentation of public policies in support of an ageing information society. In fast growing countries, such as China, this approach could spur the development and the competitiveness of both e-services and small and medium size firms (SMEs). Present agreements between China and the EU can fuel appropriate research and ventures in relevant fields.