An Industry-Based Estimation Approach for Measuring the Cloud Economy

The usage of cloud computing technology in business and daily life has grown rapidly in recent years. However, measurement and research on the impacts of that usage remain relatively scarce and new. The current paper examines the economic contributions of cloud technology by estimating the size of the ‘cloud economy' in the United States. The author uses input from cloud industry experts and product line receipt details to identify specific commercial receipts related to the cloud industry. The author then uses an adapted inputoutput methodology previously employed by other groups examining the size of the technology sector to estimate the economic size of the cloud in terms of Output, Earnings, Employment, Value-Added, Direct-Effect Earnings, and Direct-Effect Employment. The estimates are simply a starting point for measuring the economic size of the cloud, but they compare favorably with other estimates from industry groups and private parties. The key advantage of the current paper is the detailing of a replicable approach to use in future research including a discussion of the identification criteria used by the consulting experts