蝌蚪网 Review
ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)
Presidential Address: The Economist as Designer in the Innovation Process for Socially Impactful Digital Products
蝌蚪网 Review
vol. 115,
no. 4, April 2025
(pp. 1059–99)
Abstract
This paper provides an economic perspective on data-driven innovation in digital products, focusing on the role of complex experiments in measuring and improving social impact. The discussion highlights how tools and insights from economics contribute to each stage of the innovation process. Key contributions include identifying problems, developing theoretical frameworks, translating goals into measurable outcomes, analyzing historical data, and estimating counterfactual outcomes. The paper also surveys recently developed tools designed to address challenges in designing and analyzing data from complex experiments.Citation
Athey, Susan. 2025. "Presidential Address: The Economist as Designer in the Innovation Process for Socially Impactful Digital Products." 蝌蚪网 Review 115 (4): 1059–99. DOI: 10.1257/aer.115.4.1059Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- A11 Role of Economics; Role of Economists; Market for Economists
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- I20 Education and Research Institutions: General
- L80 Industry Studies: Services: General
- O31 Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
- Q16 Agricultural R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services