Data in information infrastructures : foundations and structuring of socio-economic value

This chapter explores the foundational role and socio-economic impact of digital information infrastructures in shaping data value and advancing sustainability. Drawing on examples such as electronic health records and digital platforms, it conceptualizes information infrastructures as multi-layered socio-technical systems—referred to as the information infrastructure stack—that actively shape how data is generated, processed, shared, and utilized. Far from being passive pipelines, information infrastructures perform critical functions in market coordination, innovation, and trust-building. They also provide essential digital public goods and help mitigate negative externalities, including sustainability challenges, by enabling transparency, coordination, and data-driven decision-making. The chapter traces the historical evolution of information infrastructures and analyzes how their interdependent layers structure data value and internalize externalities. In addressing governance, it contrasts commons-based and proprietary models and advocates hybrid strategies that foster resilience, openness, and innovation in the digital economy.