nep-ict 2017-01-29 papers

on Information and Communication Technologies

Issue of 2017‒01‒29
two papers chosen by
Walter Frisch
Universität Wien

Policies to Expand Digital Skills for the Machine Age By Martin, John P.
The Effects of Internet Book Piracy: The Case of Japanese Comics By Tatsuo Tanaka

Policies to Expand Digital Skills for the Machine Age

By:	Martin, John P. (University College Dublin)
Abstract:	A new technological epoch is underway – the so-called Machine Age – reflecting advances in artificial intelligence, digitalisation and Big Data. Some commentators have claimed that this epoch is different from previous ones in that it will produce large-scale technological unemployment, while others argue the contrary. Only time will judge who is right on this crucial debate. But the Machine Age will lead to major shifts in the demand and supplies of skills, especially digital skills. In this paper, I review the available cross-country evidence on the distribution of such digital skills across the adult populations within and across a large sample of OECD countries. I also review the evidence on participation rates in adult learning. Finally, I outline how education, training and labour market policies could help expand the supply of digital skills.
Keywords:	Machine Age, technological unemployment, ICT-literacy/digital skills, adult learning, education and training policies, wage insurance
JEL:	I28 J24 J68 O33
Date:	2017–01
URL:	http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izapps:pp123&r=ict

The Effects of Internet Book Piracy: The Case of Japanese Comics

By:	Tatsuo Tanaka (Faculty of Economics, Keio University)
Abstract:	In this study, the effects of internet book piracy in the case of the Japanese comic book market were examined using direct measurement of product level piracy ratio and a massive deletion project as a natural experiment. Panel regression and difference-in-difference analysis consistently indicated that the effect of piracy is heterogeneous: piracy decreased the legitimate sales of ongoing comics, whereas the legitimate sales of completed comics increased. The latter result is interpreted as follows: piracy reminds consumers of past comics and stimulates sales in that market.
Keywords:	copyright, piracy, e-book, difference-in-difference, comic
JEL:	D12 L82 M3 O34
Date:	2016–12–29
URL:	http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:keo:dpaper:2016-027&r=ict

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