The digital ecosystem around the world: a composite indicator analysis

Abstract

This study employs the ‘benefit of the doubt’ method rooted in non-parametric techniques to evaluate the digital ecosystem of 116 countries for the year 2019. By scrutinizing the relative efficiency of countries’ digital ecosystem based on the Digital Platform Economy (DPE) index, the proposed analysis of composite indicators allows the computation of endogenous (country-specific) weights that can be used for developing more informed policy. The results show that countries prioritize different aspects of their digital ecosystem. Additionally, the findings reveal significant differences in the configuration of the digital ecosystem around the world. These results confirm that, contrary to homogeneous prescription, tailor-made policy is necessary if the objective is to optimize the resources deployed to enhance the digital ecosystem.

Keywords: Digital ecosystem, multi-sided platforms, digital infrastructures, benefit of the doubt, international

JEL Classification: C14, C43, C61, O54