The thesis analyses the economics, concept, and design of information intermediaries. Information intermediaries are independent, trustworthy information processing third parties who mediate information between information sources and information seekers in order to overcome problems of information overload and the uncertainty about the quality of information. The analysis develops an economic model based on the microeconomic theory of search and applies it to information intermediaries who provide services like the search for information or the mediation of information. Examples of these information intermediaries can be found in multiple forms on the Internet, e.g., search engines, thematic oriented subject directories, and electronic product catalogues. The model identifies the basic influencing factors of the intermediary's environment, investigates the impact of these environmental conditions on the information intermediary, and derives the optimal strategy of the information intermediary under different environmental circumstances.
The work provides deep insight in the economic principles of information intermediaries and outlines the application of current information technologies for their practical realization.

Klappentext

The Internet provides an infrastructure that makes the steadily increasing amount of information accessible efficiently, quickly, and inexpensively. Closely connec­ ted with this opportunity is the danger that the available information will over­ charge the individual information seeker's capability to process the information and to judge its quality. In this situation, information intermediaries can take upon the role of an expert and a guarantor of quality similar to intermediaries in markets for physical goods or finances. Thus, information intermediaries can be a trust­ worthy, information processing third party, mediating between information seekers and information sources. The current technological development has created information technologies that are capable to efficiently process large amounts of information. However, the pro­ vision of intermediation services necessitates a thorough examination of the basic principles underlying the economics of information intermediaries as well as a sound foundation on information technologies. The present work by Frank Rose addresses the fundamental question concerning the economics of information intermediaries by means of an abstract model. The model focuses on services that concentrate on the search and mediation of information, and identifies the essential influencing factors of the intermediary's environment. The model is then employed to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on the information intermediary on the one hand, and the optimal strategy of the information intermediary as a reaction to environmental conditions on the other hand.

Inhalt

Introduction: Information overload; The aim and procedure of the analysis; The organization of this thesis.- Information: Basic aspects of information; Sources of information; The credibility of information and trust in the information source; Information and market efficiency; Information as an economic commodity.- Intermediation: Basic concepts and functions of intermediaries; Justification of intermediaries; Intermediary contracts and sources of income; Effects of intermediation on markets; Market microstructure.- An economic model of information intermediaries: Introduction; The economic theory of search; Model of an information intermediary; The influence of environmental conditions on the intermediary's strategy; Competition between information intermediaries; Welfare effects through the information intermediary; Extensions to the basic intermediary model; Summary.- Concepts and design of information intermediaries: Information intermediaries; Network-based intermediaries; Network-based information intermediaries; Summary: Economic aspects of network-based information intemediaries.- Conclusion: Summary; Outlook: The future of network-based intermediaries?- References.- Appendices.