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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | The spread of broadband, mobile devices and online and mobile payments usage are driving the expansion in digital content products. These can be downloaded, streamed or accessed through Internet Protocol (IP) TV on a range of channels including online retail platforms and social media. While consumer demand for these products has increased rapidly in recent years, a number of challenges undermine confidence in the market. Issues requiring policy attention include: inadequate disclosures about product usage or interoperability limitations; product access and quality problems; unclear rules on the collection, usage and sharing of data provided by consumers as a condition for purchasing products; and inadequate dispute resolution and redress mechanisms. |
| Date: | 2013–03–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaab:219-en&r=ict |
| By: | Luis Aguiar (European Commission – JRC - IPTS); Bertin Martens (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | The goal of this paper is to analyze the behaviour of digital music consumers on the Internet. Using clickstream data on a panel of more than 16,000 European consumers, we estimate the effects of illegal downloading and legal streaming on the legal purchases of digital music. Our results suggest that Internet users do not view illegal downloading as a substitute to legal digital music. Although positive and significant, our estimated elasticities are essentially zero: a 10% increase in clicks on illegal downloading websites leads to a 0.2% increase in clicks on legal purchases websites. Online music streaming services are found to have a somewhat larger (but still small) effect on the purchases of digital sound recordings, suggesting complementarities between these two modes of music consumption. According to our results, a 10% increase in clicks on legal streaming websites lead to up to a 0.7% increase in clicks on legal digital purchases websites. We find important cross country difference in these effects. |
| Keywords: | Digital Music, Copyright, Downloading, Streaming, Piracy on the internet |
| JEL: | K42 L82 L86 Z1 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:decwpa:2013-04&r=ict |
| By: | Joan Calzada (Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona); Fernando Martínez (Competition Commission and Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the determinants of broadband Internet access prices in a group of 15 EU countries between 2008 and 2011. Using a rich panel dataset of broadband plans, we show the positive effect of downstream speed on prices, and report that cable and fibre-to-the-home technologies are available at lower prices per Mbps than xDSL technology. Operators’ marketing strategies are also analysed as we show how much prices rise when the broadband service is offered in a bundle with voice telephony and/or television, and how much they fall when download volume caps are included. The most insightful results of this study are provided by a group of metrics that represent the situation of competition and entry patterns in the broadband market. We show that consumer segmentation positively affects prices. On the other hand, broadband prices are higher in countries where entrants make greater use of bitstream access and lower when they use more intensively direct access (local loop unbundling). However, we do not find a significant effect of inter-platform competition on prices. |
| Keywords: | Telecommunications, Broadband prices, European Union, Competition, Regulation. JEL classification: L51, L86, L96. |
| Date: | 2013–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ira:wpaper:201309&r=ict |
| By: | Russel Cooper (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | IPTS recently acquired a consumer internet clickstream database containing the full set of annual (2011) clickstream records for about 25.000 internet users in the five largest EU economies (UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain). It contains time spend on each webpage and socio-economic characteristics of the internet users. This study describes a model of consumer Internet time use that is capable of empirical implementation with the clickstream database. There is a natural model of Internet search time that could be developed to fit neatly with the database as it currently exists. The basic structure of such a model has been discussed in detail. The study recommends that IPTS should not rely on any existing model of Internet time expenditures. There does not appear to be a good contender in the literature that would adequately address the requirements of IPTS nor the realities of available data. A purpose-built model needs to be considered. |
| Keywords: | consumer demand, consumer behaviour, internet, time allocation, time expenditure, search time |
| JEL: | C1 D12 D83 |
| Date: | 2013–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:decwpa:2013-01&r=ict |
| By: | José Janssen (Open University of the Netherlands); Slavi Stoyanov (Open University of the Netherlands) |
| Abstract: | This report describes experts’ views on what it means to be digitally competent today. Although experts‘ views vary, the method applied in this study enables to derive an aggregated view on digital competence. The report identifies twelve areas of digital competence, some of them relating to specific purposes (e.g. communication and collaboration), others to domains (e.g. privacy and security). The twelve areas are presented through a brief description and further illustrated by statements describing a rich pallet of knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to each area. |
| Keywords: | Digital Competence, Digital Literacy, Digital frameworks |
| JEL: | I20 |
| Date: | 2012–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc73694&r=ict |
| By: | Francisco Lupianez-Villanueva (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)); Ioannis Maghiros (European Commission – JRC - IPTS); Fabienne Abadie (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | The Citizen Panel Survey carried out in SIMPHS2 to better assess users and patients' needs and expectations with regard to ICT for health, directly supports the objectives of the Digital Agenda in the area of eHealth which are to both cope with societal challenges and create opportunities for innovation and economic growth by reducing health inequalities, promoting active and healthy ageing and increasing empowerment. It also contributes to the goals of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Aging which addresses the societal challenge of an ageing population focusing on the main areas of life events (Prevention, Care and cure and Independent living) with the following expected results: - An improvement of the health status and quality of life of Europeans, especially older people; - An improvement of the sustainability and efficiency of health and social care systems; - Boosted EU competitiveness through an improved business environment for innovation. In this policy context the analysis of users' demand undertaken through the SIMPHS2 Citizen panel survey aims to: - develop typologies of digital healthcare users and measure the impact of ICT and the Internet on health status, health care demand and health management. - identify factors that can enhance or inhibit the role and use of Personal Health Systems from a citizen' s perspective with special emphasis on mHealth, RMT, disease management, Telecare, Telemedicine and Wellness. To reach these objectives, we started by defining a theoretical framework for policy-making, which was used to design and gather relevant information. A multivariate statistical analysis was subsequently carried out to identify the underlying conceptual dimensions emerging from the data collected. Key relationships between concepts (underlying dimensions) were identified to understand ICT for Health as a complex ecosystem. We concluded with some lessons learned. |
| Keywords: | ICT, citizen, panel, survey, health, eHealth, users |
| JEL: | I11 I18 O33 O38 |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc71142&r=ict |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | This report explores the potential role of data and data analytics for the creation of significant competitive advantage and for the formation of knowledge-based capital. Five sectors are discussed in this report as areas in which the use of data can stimulate innovation and productivity growth. They include online advertisement, health care, utilities, logistics and transport, and public administration. The report then maps the areas where coherent public policies and practices are needed to unlock the potential of big data for promoting growth and well-being. |
| Date: | 2013–04–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaab:222-en&r=ict |
| By: | Claudio Vitari (MTS - Management Technologique et Strategique - Grenoble École de Management (GEM)); Elisabetta Raguseo (MTS - Management Technologique et Strategique - Grenoble École de Management (GEM)) |
| Abstract: | This report is an output of a research project co-financed by Grenoble Ecole de Management and Rhône Alpes French region. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding how Information Technology (IT) provides new opportunities to firms, specifically focusing on the role that such solutions play in the process and usage of digital data. Digital data are the focus of this project since data can provide new opportunities for firms: they have become a torrent flowing into every area of the global economy. In such a context, companies may have to deal with a high volume of transactional data, capturing trillions of bytes of information about their customers, suppliers, and operations. Millions of sensors are embedded in the physical world in devices such as mobile phones, smart energy meters, automobiles, and industrial machines that sense, create and communicate data in the "digitalized" age. Therefore, there is the need of understanding whether companies are ready for extracting value from digital data and for figuring out the more favorable conditions under which this happens. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:gemwpa:hal-00825599&r=ict |
| By: | Bertin Martens (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a non-technical summary of the latest economic research studies on cross-border e-commerce in the EU and elsewhere, and combines this with findings from older research on this subject. It compares online with offline cross-border trade and investigates the differences in drivers and impediments to both. It also looks into research findings regarding consumer motives to shift from offline to online trade and explores possible sources of consumer welfare increase as a result of this shift. Finally, it flags issues for further research. The main purpose of this note is to bring the findings from recent research together in a coherent framework and make it accessible to stakeholders and decision-makers involved in EU policy-making on the Digital Agenda for Europe and the EU Digital Single Market. |
| Keywords: | online trade, e-commerce, gravity, barriers to trade, home bias |
| JEL: | F15 O52 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:decwpa:2013-05&r=ict |