by Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, Andrew McKay, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation(ITIF), 2007

There have been surprisingly few attempts to catalogue what is known about the economic impact of information and communications technology (IT). In a new report, ITIF does just that, examining the impact of IT in five key areas: 1) productivity; 2) employment; 3) more efficient markets; 4) higher quality goods and services; and 5) innovation and new products and services.

The report finds that the integration of IT into virtually all aspects of the economy and society is creating a digitally-enabled economy that is responsible for generating the lion’s share of economic growth and prosperity, both here and abroad, including in developing nations. Importantly, the “IT engine” does not appear likely to run out of gas anytime soon and should power robust growth for at least the next decade, provided that policy makers take the right steps.

Toward that end the report lays out five key public policy principles for driving digital prosperity: 1) give the digital economy its due; 2) actively encourage digital innovation and transformation of economic sectors; 3) use the tax code to spur IT investment; 4) encourage universal digital literacy and adoption; and 5) do no harm.

Download Full Report: Digital Prosperity

Pdf format, 4mb, 78pages

Visit Digital Prosperity Official Website

About the Authors:

Dr. Robert D. Atkinson is President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. As former director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s Technology and New Economy Project, executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council and project director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, he has conducted groundbreaking technology research, advised policymakers, and written and spoken extensively on technology issues. He is the author of The Past and Future of America’s Economy: Long Waves of Innovation That Power Cycles of Growth (Edward Elgar: 2005).

Andrew McKay is an honors student in Economics at Swarthmore College, class of 2007.

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