The Digital Economy: Promise and Peril In The Age of Networked Intelligence
Author: Don Tapscott
List Price: $14.95
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ISBN: 0070633428
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade (01 May, 1997)
Sales Rank: 9,144
Average Customer Rating: 3.9 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5
A Good Read!
Don Tapscott provides an overview of the way the digitalization of information is transforming the economy and projects the likely changes ahead from his perspective in 1996. The book suggests ways to exercise leadership effectively in this transformed, networked world. However, since this thoughtful, well-organized book was written several years ago, it is mainly of historical interest now, because of the rapid changes in the digital world. Still, it is useful to apply some of the themes Tapscott developed when you consider how the digital economy is continuing to evolve. ...recommend this well-written book for a general audience as well as executives and managers who are interested in the unfolding of the new economy.
Rating: 5 out of 5
A "normal" person's guide to the Web and related technology.
Finally - a book on the Internet and Information Technology written for "normal" people! In his "The Digital Economy", author and industry expert Don Tapscott avoids addressing his readers in geek-speak or treating them as techno-idiots. He provides an informative and useful tour of how the new digital world is impacting our lives today, even as it re-defines our tomorrow. The style is narrative and often amusing, and one hardly notices just how much dynamite information and solid research is being presented. Burned out on the hype of the "Web" or not; this is the one book which is a must read for confused students, concerned workers, and nervous business people who have been trying to figure out the Information Super-Highway. Don Tapscott has opened a "ramp" - and now there's no excuse not to "drive" on.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Almost unreadable...a quaint artifact from an earlier time
There were many annoying things about this book. Perhaps most annoying is that he never really talks about economies, and just blathers about gee-whiz technology in a rapid fire manner. He doesn't really penetrate much into the technology, nor bothers to say how it is really going to affect economies. The book is full of pre-9/11, pre-internet bubble euphoria, and never spends any time fully exploring its interesting premise. Certain the internet and communication technologies will effect the economy, and anyone trying to get any real insight here, beyond that it will make the world a better place and lots of people are going to make more money (stated over and over again), will be greatly let down.
The effects of technology on economies is better described elsewhere, such as "The Innovator's Dilemma" and other books that understand both economics and the relevant technology, something a "visionary" such as Tapscott has no time for.
Beyond providing insight into internet/technology mania of the mid to late 90's, I see no reason to invest time to read this book.
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