This short paper summarises the research agenda emerging from the work of the “Development Implications of Digital Economies” (DIODE) Strategic Research Network, which was funded by the UK's Economic and Social Research Council as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund

The digital economy is growing fast, especially in developing countries. Yet the meaning and metrics of the digital economy are both limited and divergent. The aim of this paper is to review what is currently known in order to develop a definition of the digital economy, and an estimate of its...

This paper presents a review of current evidence and ideas relating to the digital gig economy (DGE): contingent (task- or project-based) intangible work delivered digitally and done for money, organised via online outsourcing platforms that are marketplaces bringing together buyers and sellers....

Online outsourcing involves outsourcing of tasks from clients to workers all over the world via digital platforms like Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr. Millions of workers in developing countries are already involved, and governments and donor agencies are starting online outsourcing initiatives...

Level of development of digital economy policy and governance varies widely within countries of the global South. One country in which it has been significantly developed is Thailand, which has both dedicated policies and governance structures for the digital economy. This paper provides a...

The digital economy – that part of economic output derived solely or primarily from digital technologies with a business model based on digital goods or services – is of increasing importance to developing countries. Yet digital economy reality is undershooting its potential in these...

The impact of platforms in the global South is under-researched. This paper analyses the role of platforms in relation to “institutional voids”: absences or shortcomings of formal institutions that can create shortfalls in the operation of markets. Through a mix of primary and secondary...