Electronic commerce in the light of the tools of linguistics

Short preview of the presentation : In the world of manufacturing, effectiveness is based on the control of matter. This is the field where engineers (the professionals that design and manufacture machines) excel and mathematics are the tool of reference. In a world of trade, effectiveness is based on the ability to use the right semantics means so that supply meets demand. It is the field where tradesmen excel and the ability to use the common language, and more generally signs, prevails. Even if the "new economy" uses tools manufactured by engineers (the professionals that design and manufacture machines), it is a world of trade where the tools and thinking categories coming from the world of manufacturing most often break down. D. Kohn then suggests to summon up knowledge in linguistics toward a doctrine of the "new economy".