The Data Industry

CHAPTER 3DATA INDUSTRY CHAIN

The industrial chain is a relatively independent subfield in industrial organization (IO). Inherent to the chain are two attributes: a structural attribute (partly discussed in Chapter 1) and a value attribute of an enterprise group structure. The value attribute of an “industrial chain” relates to the concept of a “value chain” first mentioned by Michael Porter of Harvard [38], in 1985. The industrial chain is considered to have four dimensions: a value chain, an enterprise chain, a supply chain, and a space chain.

This chapter gives a concise introduction to the data industry chain to help the reader better understand what the data industry is.

3.1 INDUSTRIAL CHAIN DEFINITION

3.1.1 The Meaning and Characteristics

First, the industrial chain is a conception of industrial organization in that it consists of associated enterprises spaced out along a so-called chain of value-added activities. Second, the industrial chain's collection of enterprises is intended to meet a specific demand, produce a specific product, or provide a specific service. Third, the industrial chain is connected by dynamic supply-demand activity of the enterprises forming its links that is entirely in strict chronological order.

From these three descriptions, we have a clear picture, likewise, of the data industry chain; that is, it contains enterprises that operate at different industrial levels, processing resources of different weights and complexities, and in a timely fashion, ...