Demand For Communications Services Insights And Perspectives

This volume grew out of a conference organized by James Alleman and Paul Rappoport, conducted on October 10, 2011 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in honor of the work of Lester D. Taylor, whose pioneering work in demand and market analysis has had profound implications on research across a wide spectrum of industries. In his Prologue, Eli M. Noam notes that demand analysis in the information sector must recognize the “public good” characteristics of media products and networks, while taking into account the effects of interdependent user behavior; the strong cross-elasticities in a market; as well as the phenomenon of supply creating its own demand. The second Prologue, by Timothy Tardiff and Daniel Levy, focuses more specifically on Taylor’s body of work, in particular its practical applications and usefulness in analyses of, and practices within, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector (known in Europe and elsewhere as the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector). The remainder of the book is organized into four parts: Advances in Theory; Empirical Applications; Evidence-Based Policy Applications; and a final Conclusion. The book closes with an Appendix by Sharon Levin and Stanford Levin detailing Taylor’s contributions using bibliometrics. Not only featuring chapters from distinguished scholars in economics, applied sciences, and technology, this volume includes two contributions directly from Lester Taylor, providing unique insight into economics from a lifetime in the field. “What a worthy book! Every applied researcher in communications encounters Lester Taylor’s work. Many empirical exercises in communications can trace their roots to Taylor’s pioneering research and his thoughtful leadership. This book assembles an impressive set of contributors and contributions to honor Taylor. No surprise, the collection extends far and wide into many of the core topics of communications and media markets. The emphasis is where it should be–on important and novel research questions informed by useful data. —Shane Greenstein, Professor of Management and Strategy, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University “For more than 40 years, Lester Taylor has been a leader in the application of consumer modeling, econometric techniques and microeconomic data to understand residential and business user behavior in telecommunications markets. During that time, he inspired a cadre of students and colleagues who applied this potent combination to address critical corporate and regulatory issues arising in the telecommunications sector. This volume collects the recent product of many of these same researchers and several other devotees who go beyond empirical analysis of fixed line service by extending Prof. Taylor’s approach to the next wave of services and technologies. These contributions, including two new papers by Prof. Taylor, offer an opportunity for the next generation to learn from his work as it grapples with the pressing issues of consumer demand in the rapidly evolving digital economy.” — Glenn Woroch, Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of California, Berkeley

Gary Madden was a renaissance man with respect to the nexus between information and communications technology (ICT) and economics. He contributed to a variety of fields in ICT: applied econometrics, forecasting, internet governance and policy. This series of essays, two of which were co-authored by Professor Madden prior to his untimely death, cover the range of his research interests. While the essays focus on a number of ICT issues, they are on the frontier of research in the sector. Gerard Faulhaber provides a broad overview of how we have reached the digital age and its implications. The applied econometric section brings the latest research in the area, for example Lester Taylor illustrates how own-price, cross-price and income elasticities can be calculated from survey data and translated into real income effects. The forecasting section ranges from forecasting online political participation to broadband’s impact on economic growth. The final section covers aspects of governance and regulation of the ICT sector.

"Digital is the New Mainstream" is a thought-provoking book published by Penprints, compiling the conclave proceedings conducted by the Department of Mass Communication & Journalism at Sister Nivedita University in Kolkata. This book delves into the transformative impact of the digital era on various aspects of our lives, particularly in the realms of communication, media, and journalism. Drawing insights from esteemed scholars, practitioners, and experts in the field, the book explores the evolving landscape of digital technologies and their implications for traditional media platforms. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities brought forth by the digital revolution, addressing topics such as social media, online journalism, digital storytelling, and the democratization of information. Through engaging discussions, the book examines the shifting dynamics of the media industry, the changing roles of journalists and communicators, and the new avenues for audience engagement and participation. It presents case studies, research findings, and practical strategies to navigate the digital age effectively, empowering media professionals, educators, and students to adapt and thrive in this ever-evolving digital landscape. "Digital is the New Mainstream" serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of digital technologies on communication and journalism. It invites readers to contemplate the future of media and encourages them to embrace the possibilities offered by the digital revolution while upholding the principles of responsible and ethical journalism.

This book seeks to investigate ‘platform power’ in the multi-platform era and unravels the evolution of power structures in the TV industry as a result of platformisation. Multiple TV platforms and modes of distribution are competing–not necessarily in a zero-sum game–to control the market. In the volume, the contributors work to extend established ‘platform theory’ to the TV industry, which has become increasingly organised as a platform economy. The book helps to understand how platform power arises in the industry, how it destabilises international relations, and how it is used in the global media value chain. Platform Power and Policy in Transforming Television Markets contributes to the growing field of media industry studies, and draws on scholarly work in communication, political economy and public policy whilst providing a deeper insight into the transformation of the TV industry from an economic, political and consumer level. Avoiding a merely legal analysis from a technology-driven perspective, the book provides a critical analysis of the dominant modes of power within the evolving structures of the global TV value chain.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of media and communication studies, scholars face a pressing challenge – understanding the profound and transformative impact of Over-the-Top (OTT) media on global societies. As video content flows directly to viewers over the internet, upending traditional cable and broadcast TV, the complexities of this digital shift pose intricate problems. Enter Exploring the Impact of OTT Media on Global Societies, a comprehensive handbook meticulously crafted to address these challenges and provide solutions. This groundbreaking publication seeks to unravel the intricate layers of OTT media, offering a holistic exploration of business models, technological infrastructure, regulatory issues, and the social and cultural implications that define the dynamic OTT industry. Dive into the evolution of OTT media, exploring the seamless delivery of video content and its disruptive influence on traditional media consumption. Uncover the strategies behind the production and distribution of OTT content, emphasizing the role of personalization and recommendation algorithms in shaping audience engagement. Navigate the complex terrain of regulatory and policy issues surrounding OTT media, addressing critical topics such as net neutrality, data privacy, and intellectual property rights. Witness the competitive dynamics of the OTT market, marked by the emergence of new players and their profound impact on traditional media companies. Beyond the technicalities, our book delves into the social and cultural implications of OTT media, revealing shifts in media consumption patterns, the phenomenon of binge-watching, and the transformative effects on advertising and marketing strategies.

Leap 4.0: African Perspectives on the Fourth Industrial Revolution seeks to identify the challenges and opportunities the 4IR presents to South Africa and the rest of the African continent, especially to workers and marginalised sectors of society. Authors examine the prerequisites for the successful introduction of the 4IR, including infrastructure, skilled personnel and appropriate regulation. They underline the importance of inclusive innovation, with a deliberate objective to create net new jobs and reduce inequality. The 4IR is well established in many parts of the world, with technological advances driving profound social and economic change. However, for many developing countries, particularly countries in Africa, the 4IR may not offer the anticipated 'leap' forward. There is a danger that the continent may find itself dictated to by experiences that are not in tune with its social contexts.