This paper discusses how ICT and emerging electronic commerce in consumer products influence the relative efficiency in production of households and firms, resulting in changes in the division of tasks between these two types of agents. Increased information and competence of households, in...

New informationa and communication technology (ICT) makes consumers better informed about available products, product quality and prices, which mitigates problems of assymetry of information. The entry of firms is facilitated, competition and economic efficiency is boosted and the market powers...

The new information and communication technology, ICT, induces households to take over tasks from firms and government agencies, using tools and systems provided by these very same organizations. The result is often joint production activities. We argue that the importance of ICT for the...