Module 8 · Research in the Global Digital Economy
Full research atlas with evolution timelines, publication hotspots, frameworks, measurement methods, sustainability metrics, compute economics, and frontier agenda.
Definitions & Glossary
Search the unified glossary across policy, infrastructure, sustainability, compute, and research methods. Filter by category or module to spot prerequisite concepts.
Research Documents & Papers
Jump to curated reading lists, briefing packs, and supporting research documents that underpin the module and course projects.
Module 8 Snapshot
Quick links to HTML companions under /courses/module-8Research Orientation & Knowledge Atlas
Interactive timeline and concept map that trace the evolution from telecom liberalisation to AI-era sustainability agendas while introducing the scope of Module 8.
Publication Landscape & Journals
Collapsible dossiers covering journal niches, impact factors, and submission cadences with an interactive citation hotspot matrix.
Theoretical Frameworks & Models
Framework navigator comparing IBCDE, TOE, DEDI, DBE, and three-level integration models with guidance on analytical fit and extensions.
Measurement Methods & Indices
Tabbed methodology desk covering bibliometrics, composite indices, topic modelling, and data integration with indicator lookup tables.
Sustainability Metrics & ESG Integration
CADiS dashboards, rebound diagnostics, and policy levers translated into research-ready sustainability metrics.
AI Infrastructure & Compute Economics
Infrastructure architecture diagrams, market concentration trackers, and policy briefs on public compute initiatives.
Frontier Research & Gaps
Roadmap of interdisciplinary research gaps for 2025–2030 with reflection prompts and local-storage note taking.
Core Research Frameworks
Anchor models used across modules and capstone projectsIBCDE Framework (Rong, 2022)
Infrastructure, Business platforms, Consumer platforms, Data ecosystems, and Economic contexts combine to benchmark national digital capability.
Three-Level Framework (Zhang, 2023)
Separates digital foundation, digital application, and digital effects layers to connect technology inputs with economic outcomes.
Measurement Frameworks
Composite indices, DEA variants, and benchmark dashboards quantify digital economy scale, productivity, and inclusion.
Institutional & Policy Frameworks
Governance models for data, competition, and sustainability that shape digital market behaviour across jurisdictions.
Research Source Briefs
Key readings that underpin the introduction and Module 8Digital Economy Research Frameworks and Emerging Trends
2022Authors: Rong, K.
Source: Journal of Digital Economy
Proposes the IBCDE framework covering five perspectives: infrastructure, to-B platforms, to-C platforms, data ecosystems, and economic contexts to analyse systemic transformation.
Read Full Source →Three-Level Framework for Digital Economy Analysis
2023Authors: Zhang, X.
Source: Economic Research Journal
Distinguishes digital foundation, application, and effects layers, enabling causal connections between capabilities and economic outcomes.
Read Full Source →Emerging Issues and Research Gaps in the Digital Economy
2024Source: Digital Economy Research Synthesis
Highlights measurement gaps, regulatory uncertainty, digital inequality, and sustainability integration as priorities for the next research wave.
Read Full Source →Digital Economy: From Atoms to Cloud Infrastructure
2024Source: Infrastructure Studies
Traces the physical stack underpinning the digital economy, from semiconductor supply to data centres and hyperscale cloud infrastructure.
Read Full Source →Extended Resources
Use these dossiers to support research briefs and capstonesModule 8 Infographics Library
Visual assets covering indices, framework maps, CADiS dashboards, and compute economics.
Publication Landscape Dossiers
Detailed journal briefs with impact factors, thematic niches, and submission guidance.
Open Research Questions & Frontier Agenda
Interactive roadmap highlighting research gaps and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Measurement Methods Lab
Expanded methodology navigator with interactive decks and indicator matrices.