Introduction
The digital economy cannot be understood as a single system or discipline— it is an evolving, interconnected web of technological, economic, political, and cultural processes. This framework presents a knowledge space for analyzing it: a two-dimensional core matrix expanded by optional third-dimensional lenses that enable multi-scalar, interdisciplinary exploration.
The goal is to provide a conceptual map that links what exists (ontological levels) with how we ask questions (analytical dimensions), while allowing alternative ways of viewing the system— through time, scale, flows, or governance.
The Core Concept: Knowledge Space
A knowledge space is a multidimensional conceptual field in which we can situate phenomena, questions, and perspectives. Each coordinate in this space represents a specific inquiry.
For example: "Who controls the energy and data infrastructures that power AI systems in 2025?" This involves:
- Level: Infrastructure / Data layer
- Question: Who
- Lens: Power & governance (third dimension)
In this way, the framework acts like a three-dimensional map of the digital world— a tool for research, teaching, and strategic foresight.
Vertical Dimension: Levels of the Digital Economy
This axis captures the ontological structure— the nested layers that build the digital world from matter to meaning. The framework identifies seven distinct levels:
| Level | Domain | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0. Material | Geophysical | Earth's minerals, energy, and ecological base | Lithium, cobalt, rare earths, electricity grids |
| 1. Infrastructure | Technological | Computation, communication, power systems | Chips, servers, 5G, cloud networks |
| 2. Platform | Organizational | Software ecosystems and digital architectures | Cloud platforms, app stores, APIs |
| 3. Data & Algorithmic | Informational | Data generation, analytics, and AI models | Big data, ML, search engines |
| 4. Institutional & Market | Economic–Political | Governance, finance, regulation, ownership | Tech monopolies, venture capital, GDPR |
| 5. Social & Cultural | Human–Cultural | User practices, identities, and digital labor | Social media, gig work, creator economies |
| 6. Planetary & Ethical | Civilizational | Environmental, moral, and global governance | Climate impact of AI, digital rights, UN policy |
Horizontal Dimension: Analytical Questions
This axis structures how we interrogate each level— the epistemic grammar of inquiry. Six fundamental questions guide our analysis:
| Dimension | Focus | Sample Questions |
|---|---|---|
| WHO | Actors & Power | Who controls, owns, or influences this system? |
| WHEN | Time & Change | When did it emerge? How does it evolve? |
| WHERE | Geography & Space | Where are infrastructures and value concentrated? |
| WHAT | Objects & Resources | What forms of value or materials exist here? |
| HOW | Mechanisms & Processes | How does it work, scale, and interconnect? |
| WHY | Ideologies & Logics | Why does it exist— what narratives justify it? |
Third Dimension: Alternative Lenses
To study the global digital economy in context, we add a third analytical lens. This deepens the matrix into a Knowledge Cube, allowing you to focus on scale, dynamics, flows, or epistemology.
Available Analytical Lenses:
- Scale of Observation (Micro → Meso → Macro → Planetary): Reveals cross-level interactions. Example: A single data center (micro) vs. the global cloud market (macro)
- Temporal Dynamics (Emergence → Growth → Crisis → Transformation): Tracks technological waves and disruptions. Example: AI acceleration vs. climate constraints
- Flows & Exchanges (Data, Energy, Capital, Knowledge): Shows the metabolism of the digital economy. Example: Global energy demand of computation
- Governance & Power Modes (Law, Market, Community, Algorithm): Identifies who rules digital spaces. Example: Algorithmic regulation in social media
- Epistemic Paradigm (Political Economy, Ecology, Systems Theory, Cultural Studies): Integrates interdisciplinary analysis
- Ethical & Sustainability Lens: Examines responsibility, justice, and limits. Example: Digital economy within planetary boundaries
🏛️ The Knowledge Cube Visualization
Practical Application Example
Here's how the framework can be applied to real-world inquiries:
| Level | Question | Lens | Example Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0. Material | Where | Flow (Energy) | Where are the energy sources powering global data centers, and how sustainable are they? |
| 1. Infrastructure | Who | Governance | Who controls semiconductor supply chains and undersea cables? |
| 2. Platform | How | Temporal | How did the rise of cloud computing in the 2010s enable today's AI models? |
| 3. Data/Algorithmic | Why | Power | Why are generative AI systems central to new digital capital accumulation? |
| 4. Institutional | What | Scale | What global legal frameworks govern cross-border data flows? |