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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Lukasz Grzybowski; Ángela Munoz-Acevedo |
| Abstract: | We empirically assess the impact of the EU roaming regulation on mobile operators’ average revenues per user (ARPU) and retail prices. Using a differences-in-difference approach, hedonic price regressions and detailed operator and plan-level data we find that the regulation decreased mobile operator’s revenues per user, while it had no impact on tariffs during the latest phase of the regulation. |
| Keywords: | roaming, mobile telecommunications, regulation |
| JEL: | L13 L50 L96 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_9235&r= |
| By: | Rughinis, Razvan; Rughinis, Cosima; Vulpe, Simona Nicoleta; Rosner, Daniel |
| Abstract: | We studied variability in General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) awareness in relation to digital experience in the 28 European countries of EU27-UK, through secondary analysis of the Eurobarometer 91.2 survey conducted in March 2019 (N = 27,524). Education, occupation, and age were the strongest sociodemographic predictors of GDPR awareness, with little influence of gender, subjective economic well-being, or locality size. Digital experience was significantly and positively correlated with GDPR awareness in a linear model, but this relationship proved to be more complex when we examined it through a typological analysis. Using an exploratory k-means cluster analysis we identified four clusters of digital citizenship, across both dimensions of digital experience and GDPR awareness: the off-line citizens (22%), the social netizens (32%), the web citizens (17%), and the data citizens (29%). The off-line citizens ranked lowest in internet use and GDPR awareness; the web citizens ranked at about average values, while the data citizens ranked highest in both digital experience and GDPR knowledge and use. The fourth identified cluster, the social netizens, had a discordant profile, with remarkably high social network use, below average online shopping experiences, and low GDPR awareness. Digitalization in human capital and general internet use is a strong country-level correlate of the national frequency of the data citizen type. Our results confirm previous studies of the low privacy awareness and skills associated with intense social media consumption, but we found that young generations are evenly divided between the rather carefree social netizens and the strongly invested data citizens. In order to achieve the full potential of the GDPR in changing surveillance practices while fostering consumer trust and responsible use of Big Data, policymakers should more effectively engage the digitally connected yet politically disconnected social netizens, while energizing the data citizens and the web citizens into proactive actions for defending the fundamental rights to private life and data protection. |
| Keywords: | Privacy awareness; data citizenship; GDPR; Eurobarometer survey; cluster analysis |
| JEL: | Y80 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:109117&r= |
| By: | Stadler, Manfred; Tobler Trexler, Céline; Unsorg, Maximiliane |
| Abstract: | Compatibility of network products is an important issue in markets for communication technology as well as hard- and software products. Empirical findings suggest that firms competing in these markets typically choose intermediate degrees of product compatibility. We present a strategic two-stage game of two firms deciding strategically or commonly on the degree of product compatibility in the first stage and on prices in the second stage. Indeed, partial compatibility constitutes a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium when coordination costs of standardization are high and the installed bases are low. |
| Keywords: | Compatibility,Network Products,Network Effects |
| JEL: | C72 L13 L15 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tuewef:150&r= |
| By: | Bechlioulis, Alexandros P.; Karamanis, Dimitrios |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the i-banking use. During the first lockdown period in Greece, between April 13th and May 3rd, 2020, we conducted a survey of 4,807 respondents between 18 and 64 years old who participated in the labor force and used internet. The sample was appropriately weighted to accurately reflect the real population. The main result is straightforward: more days in a lockdown is associated with an increased possibility for further i-banking use. We also provide important insights to financial services’ providers by pointing out female gender, increasing age, living in a metropolitan area, and job security status as the most crucial predictors for shaping changing i-banking use. |
| Keywords: | Covid-19 health crisis; lockdown; i-banking use; respondents’ sentiments |
| JEL: | C83 G0 |
| Date: | 2020–11–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:109392&r= |
| By: | Seema Sangita (TERI School of Advanced Studies) |
| Abstract: | Educationists have had long debates on the efficacy of traditional forms of education versus vocational training. Even as India grapples with the challenges of improving the quality of primary and secondary education, there appears to be a policy shift in India, favouring vocational trainings that target the skill development of workers. This paper tries to analyse the impact of two types of technical education—one leading to an engineering degree or diploma and the other, to vocational training in selected fields such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT)— on firms operating in the manufacturing sector in India. A Cobb Douglas production function has been enhanced to incorporate education and training in order to understand the implications of the latter on firm performance. The results show that when a larger number of workers acquire technical education that leads to a degree or diploma in engineering, there is a positive impact on the performance of firms. In contrast, participation in vocational training programmes pertaining to similar disciplines has an insignificant effect on firms. |
| Keywords: | Technical Education, Vocational Education, Skills, Employability, Productivity, Digital Skills, ICT Skills |
| JEL: | J4 J24 O1 |
| Date: | 2021–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nca:ncaerw:125&r= |