Public Sector Information :: Facilitating Re-use :: Economic indicators

Economic Analysis

The re-use of public sector information is a new emerging area of the "ICT sector", which has proven to be a very difficult area to measure given its very specific nature.

Several studies have been undertaken to measure different aspects of PSI, including its economic value (e.g. PIRA, MEPSIR, etc), PSI re-use economic potential (e.g. OFT study in the UK), PSI re-use in the GI, meteorological and legal sectors (MICUS), economic analysis for assessing different charging models (e.g. Cambridge Study), etc.

Whilst these studies have provided some interesting figures, no common, standardised and uniform set of validated indicators have yet been identified to measure PSI re-use. In this context the Commission has engaged itself to:

undertake research work towards the development of the appropriate indicators to monitor PSI re-use over a period of time and
the analysis of the economic case for marginal costs.

The report on the work undertaken by the Commission's PSI Group and sub-working groups on Economic Indicators and Economic Case Study on Charging Models has been finalised.

This comprehensive report fully explains the context under which the working groups were established, how the groups operated, the membership of the groups and the issues discussed. The outcomes of the working groups are summarised in two parts: Public Sector Information Economic Indicators and the Public Sector Information Economic case study on charging models. The framework for the economic indicators sub working groups originated in the European Commission Communication (COM/2009/0212 final) on the re-use of public sector information – Review of the Directive 2003/98/EC that was published on 7 May 2009, which signalled that the European Commission would undertake a series of economic studies at the European level.

In 2011 two studies have been finalised:

The "Review of recent studies on PSI re-use and related market developments" undertaken by Mr. Graham Vickery - Information Economics summarises the findings of the currently available studies on PSI re-use, either sectorial or national, it assesses any changes/development since 2006, and provides estimates of the updated value of PSI re-use in Europe.

The Study "Assessment of the different models of supply and charging for public sector information" (SMART 2010/0046) undertaken by Deloitte has assessed the effects of PSI charging models on the downstream market, PSI re-users and end-users and impacts on the public sector body itself. It concludes that the potential benefits of lowered charges for PSI re-use can be high, since low charges can lead to more economic activity, market dynamism, innovation and employment. In addition it has provided a first snapshot of the "Apps" market and it relation with PSI. Finally, the study provides a first insight into "Open data" Portals in Europe.