Modelling the Digital Economy

The heading of Modelling the Digital Economy groups a variety of quantitative estimations of various topics material to understanding the impact of the ICT in an increasingly Digital Economy. The final objective of the exercise is to provide a set of impact evaluations of the Digital Agenda on fulfilling the Europe2020 goals. The research activity focuses at creating a platform of macro-economic models and related micro-to-macro approaches when applicable.

Expert Workshop: The macro-economic modelling of the Digital Economy - Brussels, 29-30 September 2010

The Workshop "Modelling the Digital Economy" gathered experts in the economics of ICT and modelling who addressed topics germane to the Digital Agenda such as: ICT as enabling technology, ICT impact on productivity, ICT infrastructure, network effects, technology adoption, and economics of embedded ICT. The participants from various research institutions working on capturing the diverse features of the Digital Economy helped refining the IPTS vision and pointed to various new methods and approaches relevant for the purpose of the entire research line. A particular attention was paid to the modelling of the ICT R&D, as central factor boosting the productivity.

Participants at the Expert Workshop in Brussels

Workshop presentations:

Welcome and Introduction

• IPTS and Workshop objectives – Geomina Turlea, European Commission, JRC-IPTS
• Digital Economy and Digital Agenda for Europe – Martin Ulbrich, European Commission, DG INFSO

Session 1: Quantitative approaches to Digital Economy (chair: Martin Ulbrich, DG INFSO)

• Rethinking macroeconomic modelling for the digital economy - Ali Bayar, EcoMod
• Economic Impact of the Digital Single Market - Martin Thelle, Copenhagen Economics
• OECD approaches to ICT economics - Vincenzo Spiezia, OECD

Session 2: Lessons from quantitative ICT R&D (chair: Vincenzo Spiezia, OECD)

• R&D in WorldScan – Paul J. J. Veenendaal, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis
• ICT R&D in a CGE model –  Jonathan Moyer, University of Denver
• R&D and ICT externalities in macro models – Constantin Ciupagea, IWE Bucharest
  
  

Session 3: Measurement issues (chair: Russel Cooper, The University of New South Wales)

• PREDICT Data and analysis - Geomina Turlea, European Commission, JRC-IPTS
• Differences between macro/national accounts and ICT firms financial releases and how they complement each other – Alain Stekke, European Commission, DG INFSO

Session 4: ICT and productivity (chair: Paul Desruelle, IPTS)

• The Hidden Productivity of ICT in the Digital Economy: What Governments Need to Know - Russel Cooper, The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy
• ICT and productivity growth in advanced economies – Mathilde Mas, IVIE/EUKLEMS

Contacts:

Geomina.Turlea(at)ec.europa.eu or/and Wojciech.Szewczyk(at)ec.europa.eu