Abstract
The introduction of more liberal markets and the broadening consequences of globalization have had transforming repercussions upon the collection and dissemination of Central and East European (CEE) business information. Thirteen years after the original political upheavals and the freeing of the individual countries’ markets, the volume of information produced in English and indigenous languages has increased enormously, forms of dissemination match those in developed economies, and qualitative standards have improved significantly. Given continuing, and generally expected, economic improvements these trends are likely to continue. In areas where compilation and description comprise the main information source contents (directories, company listings, factual news and relevant legislation) many services and products have already reached international standards. However, the same is not the case for company information beyond the contact and locating levels. This is due to the existing state of company law and the employment of opaque accountancy practices in a number of CEE countries, where it can be very difficult to obtain trustworthy assessments of the financial standing of individual companies. These issues are currently being addressed by those countries readying themselves for membership of the European Union and preparing them to embrace conformity to common standards.
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