[okfn-discuss] The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on Digital Networks

Mon Jun 22 21:42:01 UTC 2009

Thought this might be of interest...

The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on Digital
Networks by Paul Uhlir
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12687

PDF of latest version is available - which requires registration to download.

Jonathan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Dear Colleague,

While governments throughout the world have different approaches to
how they make their public sector information (PSI) available and the
terms under which the information may be reused, there appears to be a
broad recognition of the importance of digital networks and PSI to the
economy and to society. However, despite the huge investments in PSI
and the even larger estimated effects, surprisingly little is known
about the costs and benefits of different information policies on the
information society and the knowledge economy.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the current
assessment methods and their underlying criteria, it should be
possible to improve and apply such tools to help rationalize the
policies and to clarify the role of the internet in disseminating PSI.
This in turn can help promote the efficiency and effectiveness of PSI
investments and management, and to improve their downstream economic
and social results.

The workshop that is summarized in this volume, organized by the U.S.
National Committee for CODATA and the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, was intended to review the state of the
art in assessment methods and to improve the understanding of what is
known and what needs to be known about the effects of PSI activities.

The report, The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on
Digital Networks, is available freely online at:

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12687

Questions or comments about this volume may be sent to me at the
contact information below.

Paul Uhlir

Paul F. Uhlir, J.D.

Director, NRC Board on Research Data and Information, and

  IAP Program on Digital Knowledge Resources and Infrastructure in
Developing Countries

The National Academies, Keck-511

500 Fifth Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

USA

Tel. + 1 202 334 1531

Fax + 1 202 334 2231

Email: puhlir at nas.edu

Web: http://www.national-academies.org/brdi

Web: http://www.interacademies.net/CMS/Programmes/4704.aspx

-- 
Jonathan Gray

Community Coordinator
The Open Knowledge Foundation
http://www.okfn.org