The main results of the EuDEco project are the model of the European data economy as well as an observatory and a set of recommendations that both build upon the model.
The EuDEco model considers the data economy as a complex adaptive system, is based on a largely qualitative, community-focused approach, describes key elements of the data economy and relationships between them, and helps experts to better understand the complexities of the data economy. The key model elements are agents (data providers, data distributors, data users and solution providers), artefacts (data and technologies), strategies and environmental factors. Artefacts are used by agents to support or facilitate responses to or interactions with other agents or the environment. Strategies describe how the responses and interactions of agents look like. Propositions were formulated for particularly interesting observations or assumptions about elements and their relationships. To facilitate the understanding of the model by external stakeholders, an online visualisation was developed, which guides users through the model and shows concrete use cases. The visualisation makes interpreting the model easier and is accessible through the EuDEco website.
The observatory provides a measurement concept for the European data economy using composed indices that are based on indicators describing important aspects of the data economy and underlying framework conditions. It captures developments in and achievements of countries that are considered to affect their capacity to participate in and contribute to building up a competitive data economy. Such developments and achievements may be related to the performance of the business sector, the business environment, the innovation potential, the infrastructure, the diffusion of related technology, the security status, privacy protection, societal participation or data openness. Based on data from official and publicly accessible sources, the observatory contributes to the understanding of whether and to what extent framework conditions necessary to reap benefits from the data economy are in place. It also helps to identify current trends, and to reveal individual strengths and weaknesses of European countries.
Based on the research that involved an intensive exchange of views and the study of numerous stakeholders, recommendations were developed. The recommendations are relevant for policy makers as well as for leaders of organisations actively taking part in the data economy. The recommendations are closely related to the propositions described as part of the model, build upon preliminary recommendations, and address the requirements and barriers identified within the scope of the project. The recommendations focus on legal, socio-economic and technological aspects of the data economy. For each recommendation, practical solution approaches were outlined that may be useful to guide its implementation. To bring the recommendations closer to the target group and to facilitate their understanding and uptake, an online tool was developed, which guides the user through the recommendations. The tool named Recommender can be accessed via the EuDEco website.
The target groups of the EuDEco project were made aware of these and other results of the project primarily through the project website, the project's social media activities, numerous EuDEco and third-party events, and several scientific and non-scientific publications.
