Digitization has expanded the gap between value creation at the firm level and measured economic activity at national levels. At the same time, digital economics creates opportunities and incentive for firms to scale up to the global level. Size, growing disparities, and potential for first-mover and enduring advantage have become matters of public debate.
There is growing recognition that digital advantage is complex, contextual, and contingent – and subject to factors such as nonrivalry, reduced transaction costs, greater reliance on intangibles, the diversity of digital transactions and relationships, and blurred boundaries in product categories, markets, and jurisdictions.
During this two day workshop, scholars from Harvard and the Organisation at the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will dig into these issues and try to answer:
- Where do digital value and advantage come from – and how are they realized?
- How does this change as technology and business models evolve?
- How and where do evolving business issues intersect with policy frameworks?
This workshop is organized by the OECD’s Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), HBS’ technology and operations management unit, and the HBS Digital Initiative.