The Economics of Data: Treating Information as a New Factor of Production

Abstract

For businesses, information has emerged as a major economic resource and has revolutionised the way value is created, resources are managed and competition is determined in more and more digitalised markets. Land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship are the traditional key factors that explain economic production, but the size, speed and importance of data in the strategic planning of economic production require a rethinking of this framework. In this paper, the economics of data is discussed, as information is being reconsidered as a new, and increasing, factor of production. It includes a discussion of the role of data in enhancing productivity, innovation, decision making, market efficiency and developing data-driven business models. Data is not like the traditional productive resources, being copyable, shareable, combinable and reusable with low marginal costs, and can be of increasing value when combined with powerful analytical tools, Artificial Intelligence, digital infrastructures and expertise. The paper also looks at the economic risks of data ownership, privacy, asymmetries of information, unequal access, data monopolization, cyber security and digital market power. Special emphasis is placed on how organizations convert raw data into economically value information, and actionable intelligence. The study represents a broader picture of the current digital economy and new areas of competitiveness for these economies by recognizing data as a valuable economic product. It concludes that data governance, responsible data-sharing agreements, investments in data digitalization and access to information for all are vital to unlocking the economic value of data and to sustainable and inclusive growth.