The Economics of the Information Society The European Commission, in collaboration with the OECD, has published a volume on "The Economics of the Information Society". The publication is based on a selection of papers presented during the first three of a series of six OECD workshops on "The Economics of the Informat... The European Commission, in collaboration with the OECD, has published a volume on "The Economics of the Information Society". The publication is based on a selection of papers presented during the first three of a series of six OECD workshops on "The Economics of the Information Society", organized in association with the European Commission. The book is structured in such a way as to present the leading perspectives on the key economic issues concerning the development of the Information Society. These issues have been grouped into four chapters. Firstly, the macro-perspective is presented with a discussion of the nature of the knowledge-based economy and an investigation into the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on economic growth, productivity and employment. The second chapter is devoted to the economic implications of the developing communications networks, in particular in terms of investment requirements, costing and pricing. In chapter three, electronic commerce is identified as the key driver for changes in the economy and in the behaviour and structure of firms. In the fourth chapter the need to reappraise current statistical practices in order to enable policy makers and users to have access to internationally harmonized, reliable and accurate date is highlighted. Current initiatives in this domain need to be reinforced at an international level to inform policy makers on progress in the development of the Information Society.
