Policy directions for utilizing electronic documents in Korea : Barriers and remedies

Abstract

Today the rapid development of computer and Telecommunications technologies is, to a considerable extent, causing paper documents (PDs) to be replaced with electronic documents (EDs) in society. However, several factors, such as socio-organizational resistance, imperfect technology, managerial problems, and an insufficient legal system for users, create barriers to the utilization of EDs. This study examines those barriers and suggests some remedies to overcome them. Fundamental policies to utilize EDs should be made and implemented in the direction of minimizing social costs for access between trade partners by securing interoperability. The private sector should take the lead and governmental intervention should be minimal based on market principles. In this sense, government, having the role of cheerleader and at the same time a direct builder with very strong leadership, should make efforts to create positive attitudes toward EDs by pursuing overall social stability. It also needs to construct information infrastructure, set up standards, secure integrity and reliability of transactions and networks, establish a strong independent-supervisory entity that can coordinate multiple information policy organizations, and rationalize the management of EDs. These efforts will eventually demand the rearrangement of the legal system and international cooperation and coordination.