ITIF Reports

Turning the Page: Reimagining the National Labs in the 21st Century Innovation Economy

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF, the Heritage Foundation, and the Center for American Progress, propose a set of nonpartisan policy proposals for reforming the National Laboratories.

ITIF Summer Reading List 2013

kangstadt — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF's choices for top innovation, economic development, science and R&D, telecom and IT, and emerging economies reads for summer 2013.

Postal Reform for the Digital Age

afearon — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

All but “final mile” mail delivery should be opened up to private competition and the size of USPS should be drastically reduced to meet the realities of the digital age.

The Real Story on Guestworkers in the High-skill U.S. Labor Market

afearon — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF presents a detailed rebuttal of the Economic Policy Institute's analysis to provide a more accurate picture of the high skill labor market.

Should Government Regulate Illicit Uses of 3D Printing?

afearon — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

3D printing is a new technology that raises old policy questions.

Just the Facts: The Benefits of Information and Communications Technology

afearon — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

This fact sheet lists 53 documented economic benefits of IT, from jobs and output to competitiveness and innovation.

25 Recommendations for the 2013 America COMPETES Act Reauthorization

afearon — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

A robust reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act can boost U.S. economic competitiveness and growth.

Prospering Through Innovation Economics

afearon — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Europe faces a quandary: The difficult fiscal straits most European nations face precludes “Keynesian” stimulus policies to spur demand.

The Road Ahead: The Emerging Policy Debates for IT in Vehicles

afearon — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Policy decisions about IT in the vehicle should be driven by a broad government mandate to foster innovation in the transportation sector.

Feeding the Planet in a Warming World

afearon — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The global agriculture system faces a rapidly growing challenge that must be met with resilience and innovation.

A Policymaker’s Guide to Internet Tax

afearon — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Assesses the different Congressional proposals on internet tax and provides recommendations on the tax challenges we face.

Estimating the Potential Benefits of an EU-US Free Trade Agreement

afearon — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

An EU-US FTA would signal to the world the seriousness with which both parties take true free trade.

Breaking Down Federal Investments in Clean Energy

afearon — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The United States has failed to create a comprehensive energy policy that provides robust and consistent support for innovation.

The Whole Picture: Where America’s Broadband Networks Really Stand

afearon — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

United States has made rapid progress in broadband deployment, performance and price.

Cut to Invest: Support the Designation of 20 "U.S. Manufacturing Universities"

afearon — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Congress should establish “U.S. Manufacturing Universities” as part of a needed push to strengthen the position of the United States in the global economy.

The Benefits of ITA Expansion for Developing Countries

afearon — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

ITA member countries—developed and developing alike—should seize on the opportunity to further tariff rate elimination on ICT products.

Why America Needs a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation

afearon — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Creating a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation should be a priority for policymakers.

The 2012 State New Economy Index

afearon — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The State New Economy Index uses 26 indicators to measure the extent to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven and innovation-based.

A Fair and Competitive Royalty System for Music Services

afearon — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The current rate-setting process for music royalties is broken, reform would allow copyright owners to individually set rates for their music.

Copyright Policy and Economic Doctrines

afearon — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Economic doctrines lead to different views of optimal copyright policy.

The Gathering Storm: WCIT and the Global Regulation of the Internet

afearon — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The ITU is facing obsolescence but this existential crisis does not justify a wholesale restructuring of Internet governance.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Overcoming Barriers

afearon — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendations across several policy areas.

50 Ideas for More Accessible Elections

afearon — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Fifty actionable ideas illustrating how to make voting more accessible for all Americans, including voters with disabilities.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Science and Technology

afearon — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendations across several policy areas.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Clean Energy

afearon — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendations across several policy areas.

Lean, Mean, and Clean II: Assessing DOD Investments in Clean Energy Innovation

afearon — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Using Energy Innovation Tracker to examine DOD contributions to clean energy.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: STEM Skills

afearon — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendations across several policy areas.

Shifting Gears: Transcending Conventional Economic Doctrines to Develop Better Electric Vehicle Batteries

afearon — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Debunking the past and future potential of the electric vehicle industry.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Traded Sector Industries

afearon — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendation ideas across several policy areas.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Digital Communication Networks

afearon — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendation ideas across several policy areas.

Fifty Ways to Leave Your Competitiveness Woes Behind: A National Traded Sector Competitiveness Strategy

afearon — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The U.S. needs a comprehensive national traded sector strategy to compete effectively in global markets.

Eroding Our Foundation: Sequestration, R&D, Innovation and U.S. Economic Growth

afearon — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Budget Control Act would be a hard hit to vital U.S. industries, competitiveness, and economic recovery.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Corporate Tax

afearon — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendation ideas across several policy areas.

Comparing the 2012 Presidential Candidates’ Technology and Innovation Policies

afearon — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Non-partisan report evaluates the candidates' positions on innovation-based policy.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Trade and Globalization

afearon — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendation ideas across several policy areas.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos

afearon — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendations across several policy areas.

Winning the Race 2012 Memos: Boosting Innovation, Competitiveness, and Productivity

afearon — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As the 2012 presidential campaign moves in the final stage, ITIF is presenting general principles and specific recommendation ideas across several policy areas.

Ensuring the Trans-Pacific Partnership Becomes a Gold-Standard Trade Agreement

afearon — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Negotiations toward the TPP Agreement should conclude with a gold-standard trade agreement.

Looking for Jobs? Look to IT in 2012 and Beyond

afearon — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

IT plays an important role in economic recovery.

The Need for an R&D Roadmap for Privacy

afearon — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The U.S. government should create and fund a research and development (R&D) roadmap for privacy.

Powering the Mobile Revolution: Principles of Spectrum Allocation

afearon — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Policymakers need to support research on spectrum to relieve capacity constraints.

Making Voting More Accessible for Veterans with Disabilities

afearon — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Technical and policy recommendations to make voting more accessible for veterans who have been injured while serving their country.

We’re #27: The United States Lags Far Behind in R&D Tax Incentive Generosity

afearon — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Despite its efficacy, the United States continues to fall behind other nations in the generosity of its R&D tax incentive.

ITIF Summer Reading List 2012

afearon — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF's choices for top innovation reads for summer 2012.

Green Mercantilism: Threat to the Clean Energy Economy

afearon — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Global energy innovation is being undermined by unfair trade practices.

Leadership in Decline: Assessing U.S. International Competitiveness in Biomedical Research

afearon — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Documents the role public investment plays in underpinning a nation’s competitiveness in the life sciences and competition for global life sciences leadership.

The Export-Import Bank Works For America: Responses to 18 Arguments for Cutting Ex-Im’s Authorization

afearon — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Proving the effectiveness and calling for the reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank.

Why the Current STEM Education Reform Strategy Won’t Work

afearon — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The nation needs a fundamentally new approach to STEM education.

Worse Than the Great Depression: What the Experts Are Missing About American Manufacturing Decline

afearon — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Report debunks myths about productivity gains, restructuring, and a manufacturing renaissance and explains what is needed for a real recovery in this essential sector.

Boosting Exports, Jobs, and Economic Growth by Expanding the ITA

afearon — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

It’s time to expand the ITA to boost exports, jobs, innovation, productivity, and economic growth in the U.S. and around the world.

Global Innovation Policy Index

afearon — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Benchmarking the effectiveness of the innovation policies of 55 countries - including virtually all EU, OECD, APEC and BRIC economies - and provides a framework for making effective policies.

Dispatch from the ARPA-E Summit 2012

afearon — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF clean energy team provides analysis of ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit 2012.

Enough is Enough: Confronting Chinese Innovation Mercantilism

afearon — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The United States and other countries should begin responding to today’s reality for Chinese mercantilism represents a fundamental threat to not only the U.S. economy, but to the entire system of market and rules-based globalization.

Create a Fair and Simple Tax for E-Commerce

afearon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Fairness, simplicity and parity should guide federal legislation for internet sales tax.

The Convention on Biological Diversity, Biosafety Protocol Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment & Management: An Independent Review

afearon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

An examination of the progress of the Ad Hoc Technical Experts Group (AHTEG) since 2009.

Innovation in Cities and Innovation by Cities

afearon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Innovation is becoming popular. Economists see it is not accumulation of more capital that is key to improving standards of living; rather it is innovation.

The Future of Global Climate Policy

afearon — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

A five part series that works through what our current climate policy approach should be while addressing fundamental tensions among climate advocates and scientists.

Feeding the Next Generation: Science, Business, and Public Policy

afearon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Val Giddings stresses scientific findings and analysis remain the key driver of global agricultural research and policy.

A Charter for Revitalizing American Manufacturing

afearon — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The product of a collaboration from business and labor organizations to academic institutions, the charter underscores the importance of manufacturing and provides policy recommendations for ensuring the U.S. manufacturing environment.

Benefits and Limitations of Industry Self-Regulation for Online Behavioral Advertising

afearon — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Self-regulation is essential to protecting consumer privacy in online behavioral advertising.

Explaining Anemic U.S. Job Growth: The Role of Faltering U.S. Competitiveness

afearon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The most accurate diagnosis for the anemic U.S. recovery is the continued failure to revive innovation-based competitiveness, including in manufacturing.

Innovation, Trade, and Technology Policies in Asia-Pacific Economies: A Scorecard

afearon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

A scorecard ranking APEC economies on their innovation-based policies to spur competitiveness and growth.

PIPA/SOPA: Responding to Critics and Finding a Path Forward

afearon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

PIPA/SOPA is an important step forward in fight against online piracy, but legislation needs to focus on sites dedicated to infringement.

Salvaging Durban with Clean Energy Innovation

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:08:50 +0000

Durban is likely to overlook the best way to drastically reduce carbon emissions—making unsubsidized clean energy cost-competitive with fossil fuels by driving innovation.

The Impact of Regulation on Innovation in the United States: A Cross-Industry Literature Review

afearon — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

How regulation can both stifle and encourage innovation.

Taking on the Three Deficits

afearon — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

America actually faces three deficits—the budget deficit, the trade deficit, and the investment deficit—that, if left unchecked, could total over $41 trillion in the next 10 years.

Flowers and Pollen and Genes, Oh, My!

afearon — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

"Coexistence" between biotech and organic agriculture is not difficult to achieve.Some ill-considered proposals for a "compensation" scheme would create far more problems than they would solve.

A Bretton Woods for Innovation

afearon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Stephen Ezell in an article for "World Policy Institute" argues for a new international framework.

Patent Boxes: Innovation in Tax Policy and Tax Policy for Innovation

afearon — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

To create jobs, this report proposes driving down the value of dollar to boost exports and having firms bid for the right to repatriate foreign earnings.

Explaining International IT Application Leadership: Electronic Identification Systems

afearon — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

An assessment of what the U.S. can learn from early adopters of national e-ID systems.

Explaining International IT Application Leadership

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF explores international IT application leadership in four fields: health IT, mobile payments, intelligent transportation systems, and electronic IDs.

International Benchmarking of Countries’ Policies and Programs Supporting SME Manufacturers

afearon — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

An investigation of the programs and policies countries around the world have implemented to boost the productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of SME manufacturers.

Spectrum Policy for Innovation

afearon — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

What set of policies will make more spectrum available for innovative uses?

Remaking the Internet: Taking Network Architecture to the Next Level

afearon — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Time Warner Cable Research Program on Digital Communications releases Bennett's report.

Climate Pragmatism: Innovation, Resilience and No Regrets

lstewart — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

A framework for renewed American leadership on climate change.

Innovation for Control: Smart Technology to Empower Energy Producers and Users

lstewart — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Congress should pass the e-KNOW Act and take other steps to enable ICT-based innovation in energy.

The Atlantic Century 2011: Benchmarking U.S. and EU Innovation and Competitiveness

lstewart — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

The Atlantic Century II updates ITIF’s 2009 report on the United States’ innovation-based competitiveness compared with a diverse group of countries.

U.S. Corporate Tax Reform: Groupthink or Rational Debate?

lstewart — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Reform of the corporate tax code must transform it into a more effective tool to support private sector efforts to innovate and be more productive.

Lemons to Lemonade: Funding Clean Energy Innovation with Offshore Drilling Revenues

lstewart — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Policymakers should increase the royalty rate on offshore drilling to produce a steady, dedicated stream for clean energy innovation.

The 4G Jobs Revolution

lstewart — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

In an essay published by "National Journal", Rob Atkinson urges government to advance the economic and social benefits of the 4G technology revolution.

A Model for Innovation: ARPA-E Merits Full Funding

lstewart — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

The Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is driving energy innovation and laying the groundwork for new industries. It deserves better from Congress than steep budget cuts.

The Trouble with Progressive Economics

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Why progressives need to develop a new economic doctrine with a coherent theory of how to drive sustained growth, productivity, and innovation.

Understanding the Importance of Export Credit Financing to U.S. Competitiveness

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

The Export-Import Bank’s activities and efforts need to be expanded as competitor countries turn to export financing to enhance competitiveness.

Creating a Collaborative R&D Tax Credit

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

If Congress wants to support innovation and U.S. competitiveness, it should expand tax credits to reflect the growing importance of collaborative R&D.

Rural Broadband: Are We There Yet?

Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

New deployments of rural broadband have shifted from wireline technologies to 3G and 4G mobile broadband.

Gold Standard or WTO-Lite?: Shaping the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Wed, 25 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF makes the case for a landmark trade pact that raises the bar for global trade practices.

University Research Funding: The United States is Behind and Falling

Thu, 19 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Not only does the U.S. lag behind other countries in government- and business-funded university research, but we are falling even farther behind.

Ten Principles for Creating a New U.S. Clean Energy Policy

Wed, 18 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Policy must strive to promote government investment in R&D and private sector commercialization.

All About the Fundamentals: Three Misconceptions of the Heritage Foundation’s Deficit/Energy Proposal

lstewart — Wed, 04 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF, the Breakthrough Institute, and Americans for Energy Leadership respond to the Heritage Foundation's proposal to dismantle the Department of Energy.

The Chain of Logic to Get to a Robust National Innovation and Competitiveness Policy

lstewart — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Faulty assessments of the problems and solutions related to U.S. innovation stand in the way of coherent and effective national policy for improvement.

The Case for a National Manufacturing Strategy

lstewart — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0000

The manufacturing sector is key to the health of the U.S. economy—and the U.S. needs a strategy to support it.

Lean, Mean and Clean: Energy Innovation and the Department of Defense

lstewart — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF reviews the indispensable role of public investment and public-private partnerships in fostering energy innovation at the DOD.

An Innovation Carbon Price: Spurring Clean Energy Innovation While Advancing U.S. Competitiveness

lstewart — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF proposes an Innovation Carbon Price—a unique approach to spurring clean energy innovation and boosting U.S. industrial competitiveness using a carbon tax.

Inducing Innovation: What a Carbon Price Can and Can’t Do

lstewart — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

A carbon price is unlikely to yield sufficient levels of innovation if we don’t also invest in clean technology development.

One from Column A, B, and C: Finding a New Bipartisan Consensus on U.S. Competitiveness and Innovation Policy

lstewart — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Competitiveness can no longer be seen as a partisan issue. Both Democrats and Republicans contribute useful recommendations.

Facts of Life: The Citizen’s Guide to Network Engineering

lstewart — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Net neutrality is a holdover from a long-settled engineering debate about network design. Internet policy should be broader.

17 is Not Enough: The Case for a More Robust R&D Tax Credit

lstewart — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

President Obama’s call to increase the R&D tax credit to 17 percent is an important first step but more needs to be done to improve U.S. competitiveness.

Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Antitrust

lstewart — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF examines the principle antitrust doctrines and how the field of antitrust can better cope with the challenges of the 21st century, innovation-based economy.

"Bridges": The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Innovation Policy

lstewart — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The Winter 2010 issue of the Austrian Embassy's "Bridges" magazine features a summary of ITIF's recent survey of innovation policies employed by countries around the world.

Now Playing: Video Over the Internet

lstewart — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Policymakers should refrain from getting overly involved in the dispute between Comcast and Level 3 over the Internet peering capacity needed to support Netflix streaming.

Refueling the U.S. Innovation Economy: Fresh Approaches to STEM Education

lstewart — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Do we have a successful formula when it comes to STEM education? In a provocative new report, ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson and education expert Merrilea Mayo, Ph.D., challenge our current approach and argue that reforms are urgently needed.

The 2010 State New Economy Index

lstewart — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The State New Economy Index uses 26 indicators to measure the extent to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven and innovation-based.

Policymakers Should Opt Out of "Do Not Track"

lstewart — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Do Not Track would impose unnecessary costs on the Internet ecosystem and result in less free Internet content and services.

Buying Innovation: How Public Procurement Can Spur Innovation

lstewart — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Public procurement contracts are a key mechanism for boosting domestic demand for innovation.

Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Climate Change Policy

lstewart — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF surveys four dominant schools of thought and analyzes how adherents approach policy options for climate change and energy policy.

Better Enforcement of Online Copyright Would Help, Not Harm, Consumers

lstewart — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Enforcement of digital copyrights would lead to a stronger Internet ecosystem and more innovative consumer services.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Innovation Policy

lstewart — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Not all innovation policies are created equal. In a ground-breaking report, ITIF surveys how countries’ innovation policies affect them individually and the global economy as a whole and recommends ways for healthy competition that benefits all.

Who's Who in Internet Politics: A Taxonomy of Information Technology Policy

lstewart — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

An analysis of how nine distinct interest groups shape Internet policy through their views on key issues, including net neutrality, copyright, and privacy.

Network Policy and Economic Doctrines

lstewart — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

An analysis of how prevailing economic philosophies drive approaches to network policy in four key areas: broadband competition, net neutrality, copyright and privacy.

Innovation Policy on a Budget: Driving Innovation in a Time of Fiscal Constraint

lstewart — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

There are a number of ways to keep innovation going in the right direction even if funds are limited. They include regulatory reform, smarter tax policies, procurement reform, the better use of technology and more.

Social Justice and Innovation Economics: Meeting Summary

lstewart — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

A summary of the May 2010 meeting of innovation economists, social justice activists, and thinkers from the environmental movement.

Opportunities and Innovations in the Mobile Broadband Economy

dcastro — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Mobile broadband offers a vast array of opportunities to improve quality of life for individuals and society.

Stricter Privacy Regulations for Online Advertising Will Harm the Free Internet

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

A study shows that overly strict privacy laws inhibit the effectiveness of the Internet ecosystem.

Better Use of IT Could Minimize the Next Salmonella Egg-idemic

dcastro — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000

IT has an important role to play in protecting the safety of our food supply.

Cloud Computing Requires National Policy Leadership

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Policymakers can help cloud computing flourish by creating policies that will support its development and avoiding policies that will hinder it.

ITIF Analysis of FCC Broadband Deployment Report

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The FCC broadband report delivered to Congress indicates a decline in progress towards universal broadband services, yet the report has serious methodological shortcomings.

Time to End Rampant Mercantilism

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Global innovation has the potential to let all countries grow their economies but only if nations eliminate harmful mercantilist policies.

ICT R&D Policies: An International Perspective

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

While the U.S. once led the world in IT R&D, in the last decade other nations have caught up, as a share of total R&D.

Ten Myths of Addressing Global Warming and the Green Economy

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF dismantles the top ten myths in the climate change debate.

H-1B Visa Workers: Lower-Wage Substitute, or Higher-Wage Complement?

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

A new study shows H-1B visas for foreign professionals actually promote U.S. high tech employment.

Data Privacy Principles for Spurring Innovation

dcastro — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF responds to the Department of Commerce's Notice of Inquiry on the nexus between privacy policy and innovation in the Internet economy.

Strengthening Clean Energy Competitiveness

dcastro — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Reauthorizing the American COMPETES Act provides an opportunity for Congress to strengthen U.S. clean energy innovation and competitiveness policies.

Looking for Trouble: The FCC’s Mobile Competition Report

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The FCC's Summer 2010 report on the state of mobile competition in the U.S. fails to appreciate just how competitive the marketplace actually is.

Closing the E-Commerce Sales Tax Loophole

dcastro — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Before allowing states to tax online sales, Congress should first require states to eliminate protectionist laws limiting e-commerce.

Commentary on ‘‘Rationales and Mechanisms for Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing R&D Strategies’’

Tue, 18 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF President Rob Atkinson offers a response to an article by Greg Tassey on revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

Principles for Reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act

Wed, 12 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF outlines five principles to guide lawmakers in crafting a COMPETES reauthorization.

The Truth, and Nothing But the Truth about U.S. International Broadband Rankings

Wed, 12 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

While the U.S. can and should improve access to broadband, a lack of competition is not the problem.

Tomorrowland

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

In the city of the future, bridges will talk to engineers, roads will control cars, and parking spots will find you. In some places, it’s already here.

One Step Forward, Five Steps Back: An Analysis of the Draft Privacy Legislation

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Draft legislation on consumer privacy offer many opportunities for improvement.

High-Technology and Regions in an Era of Open Innovation

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Open innovation is becoming an increasingly important form of innovation and requires new firm strategies.

House Panel Puts in Motion Reauthorization of COMPETES Act

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The re-authorization of the America COMPETES Act will help foster innovation and American global competitiveness, but more can be done.

The Right to Privacy is Not a Right to Facebook

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Don't like Facebook's privacy policy? Then don't use it. But don't ask government to run Facebook.

Organic Food: Agricultural Panacea or Elitist, Luddite Farming Practice?

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Is the demand of American and European consumers for organic foods a good thing? In this WebMemo ITIF looks at the costs of the growing organic food trend.

Looking for Jobs?: Look to IT

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

With increasing employment is the number one goal in Washington, policy makers should look to IT as a major source of long-term, high-paying jobs.

Embracing the Self-Service Economy

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

If self-service technology were more widely deployed, the economy would be approximately $130 billion larger annually.

The Internet Economy 25 Years After .com

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF reviews the evolution of the Internet economy into a transformational part of daily life and a trillion dollar engine of innovation.

Eight Ideas for Improving the America COMPETES Act

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF outlines eight ideas to improve the U.S. innovation system.

What's Next for Open Government?

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF identifies strengths and weaknesses of the open government initiative and recommends how to make more effective use of technology.

Going Mobile: Technology and Policy Issues in the Mobile Internet

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF recommends a light touch of regulation and a heavy dose of spectrum to facilitate the growth of the Mobile Internet.

Create Jobs by Expanding the R&D Tax Credit

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Expanding the R&D credit would spur job creation and innovation.

Explaining International IT Application Leadership: Intelligent Transportation Systems

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This new report takes a detailed look at how Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other countries apply information technologies to alleviate congestion, enhance safety, and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

Next Generation Broadband in the United States

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Whack-A-Mole Security: Bad Policy, Bad Legislation

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Recent efforts to ban peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing software in government offices to reduce security breaches would merely be treating the symptoms, not the disease.

Steal These Policies: Strategies for Reducing Digital Piracy

dcastro — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The U.S. government can and should do more to support industry efforts to reduce digital piracy.

ICT & Innovation: Facing the Global Challenges

lstewart — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF President Rob Atkinson explains how ICT has the potential to revolutionize the lives of people around the world, in developed and developing countries alike.

Creating Jobs Through Exports and Innovation: 9 Steps Congress Can Take to Foster Sustainable Job Creation

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

There is renewed interest in a job creation agenda. But many of the proposals put forth to date overlook the importance of exports and innovation.

Rising Tigers, Sleeping Giant

dcastro — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This report benchmarks clean energy competitiveness in four nations: China, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Explaining International Mobile Payments Leadership

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

In this report, ITIF identifies the leading nations in mobile payments, explains why the United States lags so far behind, and offers recommendations.

American Competitiveness in a Post-American World

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Contrary to much of the narrative within Fareed Zakaria’s book The Post-American World, the United States is losing ground in terms of international competition and innovation.

Policies to Increase Broadband Adoption at Home

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

If the United States is to achieve the promise of the broadband revolution it will need to ensure that a much larger share of Americans are subscribers.

The World Is Digital

Mon, 10 May 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The last two decades have presented unprecedented global economic change. While there is much debate around the changing global economy over the last several decades, all should agree that IT has been at the root of these transformations.

Are We Ready for Net Neutrality?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF lays out ten key questions it believes are critical to answer accurately before any regulatory decisions are made.

Sharing the Risks of Wireless Innovation

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Should wireless handset manufacturers like Apple and Palm be forbidden to share innovation risks with network operators? Congress and the FCC have been besieged by advocates seeking a ban on the marketing arrangements that make risk-sharing possible, but the technology mandate necessary to accomplish the goal would impair innovation.

The Role of Professional Certification in Securing Information Systems

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

A proposal on cybersecurity certification will offer few benefits, introduce burdensome costs to the government and the private sector, and not address the root cause of most cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The Role of Information Technology in Medical Research

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

The United States and the United Kingdom commit roughly the same percentage of total public medical research funds to health informatics. However, the United Kingdom is uniquely positioned to benefit from advancements in health informatics research because it is significantly ahead of the United States in its transition to electronic health records among primary care providers.

Designed for Change: End-to-End Arguments, Internet Innovation, and the Net Neutrality Debate

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

A review of the development of the Internet architecture that finds an extraordinarily high degree of intelligence embedded in the network core.

Sustainable Globalization Means Limiting Export-Led Growth Strategies

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Countries should adopt innovation-based, domestic-growth strategies instead of relying on mercantilist, export-lead economic policies.

Explaining International IT Application Leadership: Health IT

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Which countries are leading in health IT adoption, what explains their success, and what lessons can other nations learn from these leaders?

Driving a Digital Recovery: IT Investments in the G-20 Stimulus Plans

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

In this report, ITIF outlines the more than $100 billion invested by G-20 countries in IT-related stimulus. While most G-20 countries have passed economic stimulus packages to confront the global economic downturn, more could be done to use IT investments to aid in economic recovery, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for long-term economic benefits.

America and the World: We’re Number 40!

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF Senior Analyst Stephen Ezell’s article examines how the United States has lost its lead in developing innovation policies.

Making Washington Focus: First, Re-Educate the Economists

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

In this article Rob Atkinson argues that policymakers too often take their cues on economic policy from neoclassical economic doctrine that does not appreciate the importance of innovation.

U.S. Continues to Tread Water in Global R&D Tax Incentives

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Although once offering the most generous R&D tax credit in the world, the United States now ranks 17th out of the 30 OECD countries.

Learning from the Korean Green IT Strategy

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

South Korea is poised to become the world leader in green technology, through a wide array of government policies supporting green technology, strong national leadership and a substantial commitment of public funding for this effort.

Effective Corporate Tax Reform in the Global Innovation Economy

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Examines the issue of corporate tax reform and lays out key principles for policymakers to consider as well as specific policy recommendations for crafting an innovation-based corporate tax code.

The Role of Information Technology in Creating New Kinds of American High Schools

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

In a new ITIF report, How IT Can Enable 21st Century Schools Tim McDonald and Ted Kolderie of the Education|Evolving, discuss why the existing school reform movement has stalled and how information technology (including computers, software and communications) can enable the emergence of fundamentally new kinds of schools

A Roundtable on the End of Scarcity, Open Architecture, and the Future of Broadband Competition Policy

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

A summary of a roundtable that focused on the increasing convergence on some broadband competition policy matters.

Structuring U.S. Innovation Policy: Creating a White House Office of Innovation Policy

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

The Obama administration should create an Office of Innovation Policy that would draw upon, and feed into, existing regulatory review processes but would have the specific mission of being the “innovation champion” within these processes.

Federal Government Policy on the Use of Persistent Internet Cookies: Time for Change or More of the Same?

Tue, 26 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF proposes a new framework for the use of persistent cookies on government websites given the current trends in e-government.

The UK's Digital Road to Recovery

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF & LSE Enterprise estimate the impact on U.K. employment of additional investment in broadband Internet, intelligent transportation systems, and the smart grid.

The Role of Competition in a National Broadband Policy

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

An article in the "Journal of Telecommunications and High Technology Law" unravels the broadband competition debate from both the perspective of an engineer and an economist and then evaluates four main policy options towards broadband competition.

The Need for Speed: The Importance of Next-Generation Broadband Networks

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Supporting the deployment of faster broadband networks will be crucial to enabling next-generation Web-based applications and services that will play important roles in improving quality of life and boosting economic growth.

Promoting Platform Parity: Equal Pay for Equal Music

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF argues that Congress should promote technology neutral policies that do not unfairly advantage or disadvantage any particular technology or business model.

“Stim-Novation”: Investing in Research to Spur Innovation and Boost Jobs

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The ideal fiscal stimulus measure not only creates jobs and drives economic activity in the short run but also boosts quality of life and economic growth in the medium and long run. Support for scientific research in the stimulus package accomplishes both goals. In this report, ITIF finds that spurring an additional $20 billion investment in our national research infrastructure will create or retain approximately 402,000 American jobs for one year.

The Atlantic Century: Benchmarking EU and U.S. Innovation and Competitiveness

dcastro — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The 2009 report finds that while the U.S. still leads the EU in innovation-based competitiveness, it ranks sixth overall and last in progress over the last decade.

Paying Our Way: A New Framework for Transportation Finance

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0000

A report by the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission lays out the financial crisis our nation’s surface transportation system is in and suggests both short and long term solutions.

Improving Quality of Life Through Telecommuting

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The number of jobs filled by telecommuters could grow nearly four-fold to 19 million and deliver substantial economic, environmental and quality of life benefits for the United States over the next 12 years.

The Digital Road to Recovery: A Stimulus Plan to Create Jobs, Boost Productivity and Revitalize America

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This report provides a detailed analysis and estimate of the short-term jobs impacts of using the stimulus package to spur investment in three critical digital networks: broadband, the smart grid and health IT.

A Policymaker's Guide to Network Management

dcastro — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0000

This report documents why, to provide quality internet service, ISPs must be able to allocate bandwidth between users and apply network management tools to shape traffic.

The 2008 State New Economy Index

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF employs 29 indicators to assess the extent to which the 50 state economies are structured according to the tenets of the New Economy.

Timely, Targeted, Temporary and Transformative: Crafting an Innovation-Based Economic Stimulus Package

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In a new report, Timely, Targeted, Temporary and Transformative: Crafting an Innovation-Based Economic Stimulus Package, ITIF lays out eight specific proposals that would not only spur spending and economic activity in the short run, but also help addresses these challenges going forward.

Digital Quality of Life: Understanding the Benefits of the IT Revolution

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

This report shows how IT is the key enabler of many of today’s key improvements in our lives and society—from better education and health care, to a more energy-efficient environment.

An Innovation Economics Agenda for the Next Administration

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In today’s economy, innovation – the development and adoption of new products and services, more efficient production processes, and new business models – is the most important factor driving increases in American standards of living.

Economic Doctrines and Policy Differences: Has the Washington Policy Debate Been Asking the Wrong Questions?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

The U.S. political dialogue gives scant attention to innovation and policy to promote innovative activity. This is because the three dominant economic policy models – conservative neoclassical, liberal neoclassical and neo-Keynesian economic doctrines–ignore the role of innovation and technology in achieving economic growth.

Comparing the Presidential Candidates' Technology and Innovation Policies

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

This policy brief compares and assesses the 2008 presidential election candidates’ technology and innovation policies across a number of specific issue areas.

RAND's Rose-Colored Glasses: How RAND's Report on U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology Gets it Wrong

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In RAND’s Rose-Colored Glasses: How RAND’s Report on U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology Gets it Wrong, ITIF presents a detailed critique of the recent RAND report showing that in contrast to RAND’s rosy assessment, America’s lead on a number of key S&T indicators is eroding rapidly, where not vanishing entirely.

Time for a Post-Partisan Broadband Debate

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In the last few years the debate over broadband policy has become increasingly partisan and bitter. It's time to move beyond the partisan bickering. Although complete policy agreement is neither likely nor beneficial, this web-memo points the way to a more reasoned and less vitriolic debate.

Broadband Populism or Broadband Pragmatism

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000

While bash-the-corporation rhetoric may have some populist appeal, it is both factually and logically flawed.

Where Do Innovations Come From? Transformations in the U.S. National Innovation System, 1970-2006

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In this report, ITIF finds that the nature of the U.S. innovation system has changed dramatically over the course of the last 40 years. Using an innovative research method, UC Davis scholars Fred Block and Mathew Keller analyze a sample of innovations recognized by R&D Magazine as being among the top 100 innovations of the year over the last four decades.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Creation of a National Innovation Foundation (NIF)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0000

In reference to ITIF’s call for a National Innovation Foundation ITIF president Rob Atkinson and Howard Wial of the Brookings Institute answer seven frequently asked questions about the creation of a National Innovation Foundation.

Measuring Up

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF President Rob Atkinson’s article in the Economic Development Journal.

Buying Contact Lenses Online: A Critique of the Fogel and Zidile Optometry Journal Study

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0000

The American Optometric Association journal "Optometry" has published a study that purports to find that contact lens patients are more at risk when buying lenses online. This ITIF report analyzes the study and finds that not only is the study fraught with flaws, but many of the implications suggested by the authors are over-reaching in their scope, fallacious in their reasoning, or silent in refuting equally plausible alternative explanations.

Explaining International Broadband Leadership

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Based on the findings from other nations, the report proposes 11 policy recommendations to spur both deployment of more ubiquitous and faster networks and adoption of broadband by consumers.

I Spy a Luddite: Why the Lawsuit over Google Street View is Absurd

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Recently, a Pennsylvanian couple sued Google for publishing photos of their home on Google Maps. This lawsuit highlights the argument made by privacy advocates that technologies like Google Street View are invasive and inappropriate. In this WebMemo, ITIF Senior Analyst Daniel Castro argues that not only are these privacy fears unfounded, but if we were to accept the position of these privacy advocates, we would have to ban a whole host of modern technologies.

Boosting Productivity, Innovation, and Growth Through a National Innovation Foundation

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Without a more robust, targeted, and explicit federal innovation policy, U.S. competitiveness will continue to slip and economic growth will lag.

Which Broadband and IT Vision for America?

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

It’s time for a debate that focuses on the most important digital economy issues: how to get fast broadband networks to all Americans; how to use IT to transform our health care system, transportation system, education system, and government.

A Billion Here, A Billion There: How the Census Bureau Has Bungled the 2010 Census

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

The United States is one of the few nations not allowing its citizens to submit their census forms online.

e-Census Unplugged: Why Americans Should Be Able to Complete the Census Online

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF analyzes the decision made by the Census Bureau to eliminate the Internet response option and concludes that allowing respondents to submit their survey online would have saved taxpayers' money.

Framing a National Broadband Policy

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0000

An article in "CommLaw Conspectus" outlines the economic rationale for a national broadband strategy, showing why the market alone will not generate the societally optimal level of broadband in the foreseeable future.

Global Flows of Talent: Benchmarking the United States

dcastro — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

New report by George Mason University Professor David Hart benchmarking flows of highly-skilled workers to the United States against similar flows to seven other high-income countries. The report compares how national immigration policies foster or constrict these flows, and lays out several broad policy recommendations that the United States should consider to ensure that we not only compete effectively for talent in the short-term, but also lead the world toward a global system for developing and using talent that is beneficial for everyone over the long-term.

Don't Shoot the Messenger: Telecommunications Carriers Deserve Immunity

dcastro — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

A report on proposed legislation to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and on proposals to deny immunity to telecommunications carriers that complied with the federal government's surveillance program post 9/11.

Boosting European Prosperity Through the Widespread Use of ICT

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

After a long period over which Europe was catching up to the United States in productivity, this trend has reversed. Lower levels of investment in information and communications technology (ICT) and less effective use of existing ICT explain a significant share of the lower rates of productivity growth in the European Union over the last decade when compared to the United States. The report argues that regaining robust productivity growth will be critical for EU nations over the next several decades as they struggle with a myriad of challenges, including an aging population.

Improving Health Care: Why a Dose of IT May Be Just What the Doctor Ordered

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0000

In a new report, ITIF explores the benefits of using information technology in the health care sector, such as reduced medical costs, improved medical care, and increased access to personal health information. The paper reviews the obstacles that have prevented the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and proposes a number of policy recommendations to speed adoption. Specifically, the paper discusses the benefits of establishing independent health record data banks as a sustainable and market-based approach to implementing EHRs. ITIF also recommends other methods to leverage federal resources to speed EHR adoption.

The Road to Next-Generation Broadband

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0000

An article of "IEEE Internet Computing Journal" documents how other nations have more robust broadband than the United States.

Stop the Presses: How Paper Trails Fail to Secure e-Voting

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF analyzes arguments made by proponents of paper audit trails and debunks the myth that paper audit trails will secure our elections.

Expanding the R&E Tax Credit to Drive Innovation, Competitiveness and Prosperity

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Rob Atkinson’s article in the July 2007 issue of the Journal of Technology Transfer arguing for the importance of the Research and Experimentation Tax credit. The article calls for several important changes to the credit: doubling its current value, modifying the Alternative Simplified Credit to become incremental, and expanding the flat credit for collaborative R&D.

The Rise of the New Mercantilists: Unfair Trade Practices in the Innovation Economy

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Many nations use a host of unfair and protectionist policies to systematically disadvantage foreign, including U.S., technology companies in global competition. A new report documents the myriad of unfair trade practices and outlines specific steps Congress and the Administration can take to combat this new wave of technology protectionism.

The Case for Tax-Free Internet Access

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0000

In this report ITIF explains why Congress should make the current moratorium permanent and eliminate the grandfather clause which allows some states to tax Internet access at the expense of the nation as a whole.

The Case for a National Broadband Policy

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0000

This report lays out the case for a proactive national broadband strategy to maximize overall societal welfare. It discusses a number of proactive policies that could spur faster broadband deployment and adoption.

Does Productivity Growth Still Benefit Working Americans?

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0000

In the last few years many have argued that the middle class has not been receiving its fair share of productivity income growth. As a result, the focus of many, particularly those on the left, has shifted from promoting productivity growth to redistribution as a way to raise living standards for this group of Americans. A new ITIF paper examines carefully the trends over the last 25 years in income growth and finds that, contrary to the conventional explanation embraced by many on the left, the historical link between productivity growth and wage growth is not broken and it would be a grave mistake for our future if our nation gave up on growth and the policies that can spur it.

Patents Pending: Patent Reform for the Innovation Economy

Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Focuses on three areas of reform: patent delay, patent quality and the reasons why the PTO issues too many questionable patents, and the dramatic increase in patent litigation and awards.

Internet Radio and Copyright Royalties: Reforming a Broken System

Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF describes the current copyright system and the problems with the recent the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruling.

Assessing Broadband in America: OECD and ITIF Broadband Rankings

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF Broadband Rankings benchmark broadband penetration, price and speed in OECD countries.

Expanding the Research and Development Tax Credit to Drive Innovation, Competitiveness and Prosperity

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0000

ITIF outlines several steps Congress should take to strengthen the credit.

Addressing the STEM Challenge by Expanding Specialty Math and Science High Schools

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0000

American competitiveness in the innovation-driven global economy has become a subject of intense concern, with many pointing to the shortage of well-trained American scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians (STEM). Amid the proliferation of policy proposals to address the problem, however, one critical component has been largely overlooked: the role of specialty math and science high schools. In a new report, ITIF argues that such schools graduate deeply knowledgeable and passionate students of science and math who are more likely to pursue these fields in college and beyond. As a result, funding the expansion of specialty science and math schools must be an important part of any solution to the STEM challenge. The report recommends taking steps to triple enrollment in math and science high schools to reach 140,000 by 2012.

Digital Prosperity: Understanding the Economic Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0000

This report examines the impact of IT in five key areas: 1) productivity; 2) employment; 3) more efficient markets; 4) higher quality goods and services; and 5) innovation and new products and services.

The 2007 State New Economy Index: Benchmarking Economic Transformation in the States

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0000

ITIF employs 26 indicators to assess the extent to which the 50 state economies are structured according to the tenets of the New Economy.

The Implications of Service Offshoring for Metropolitan Economies

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0000

In a coauthored report with The Brookings Institution, Robert Atkinson and Howard Wial analyze the projected impact of service sector offshoring on U.S. metropolitan economies. While the report finds that the impacts of offshoring in most metropolitan areas over the next decade are likely to be modest, it forecasts higher than average job losses in twenty-eight U.S. metropolitan areas between 2004 and 2015. To address the impacts, the paper urges federal, state, and local leaders to pursue together policies that boost productivity and innovation, assist workers who are harmed by offshoring, and modernize approaches to economic and workforce development.

Deep Competitiveness

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 05:00:00 +0000

In the Winter issue of Issues in Science and Technology , Rob Atkinson argues that current proposals to stimulate U.S. competitiveness are necessary but not sufficient to meet the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving global economy and the aggressive policies of other nations. He makes a number of specific policy proposals, organized into four areas: 1) work to create a global trade regime based on markets, not mercantilism; 2) overhaul the corporate tax code to spur innovation; 3) create new research partnerships; and 4) make digital transformation of the economy within 10 years a national goal.

The Research and Experimentation Tax Credit: A Critical Policy Tool for Boosting Research and Enhancing U.S. Economic Competitiveness

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 04:00:00 +0000

The Research and Experimentation Tax Credit can play an important role in ensuring that the United States remains an attractive location for global companies to conduct research. Not only does the credit spur the retention and attraction of investment in R&D in the United States, new scholarly research shows convincingly that the credit is an effective tool for stimulating additional research, which in turn leads to faster economic growth. However, while the United States had the distinction of providing the most generous tax treatment of R&D of all OECD nations in the early 1990s, by 2004 we had dropped to 17th most generous.

Power of Attorneys: Will the Organized Bar Thwart the Emergence of Online Law?

dcastro — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 04:00:00 +0000

Because online legal services are a direct threat to revenues, the legal industry has used its regulatory power to thwart the emergence of these cheaper online legal offerings.