MLUG.ca: Free Software in Eastern Europe [Part II]

“In the competitive environments of most industries buying
choices are often made on the basis of product quality, price,
quality of service and so on. But the IT industry is a notable
exception, and nowhere is this more obvious than Eastern Europe. In
this environment the markets function more on the basis of know who
instead of know how and on the establishment of, shall we say,
mutually profitable relationships. The development of networks of
influence high in the circles of power are more likely to lead to
successful dealmaking than product quality.

“The result is that decisions are made that offer little or no
benefit to the taxpayers who pay for the deals. In the case of
Macedonia the taxpayers are seeing their money spent on purchases
of doubtful merit with little justification…”

Complete
Story