Data Monetization as a New Economic Asset in the Digital Economy Ecosystem
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65739/archipel.v1i7.42Keywords:
Data Monetization, Digital Economy, Economic Asset, Data Governance, Big DataAbstract
The rapid development of the digital economy has transformed data from a by-product of digital activities into a strategic economic asset that can be monetized and utilized to create new sources of value. This study aims to analyze data monetization as a new economic asset within the digital economy ecosystem by examining its value creation mechanisms, monetization pathways, and governance challenges. This research employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical design based on a systematic literature review of scholarly articles published between 2020 and 2025. Data were collected through documentation techniques from reputable journals and analyzed using qualitative content analysis, thematic categorization, and conceptual synthesis. The findings reveal that data generates economic value through three main pathways: operational efficiency, direct data commercialization, and data-driven services. Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and IoT play a crucial role in enabling these processes. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, including unequal value distribution, platform dominance, and concerns related to data privacy and governance. The discussion highlights the need for inclusive and transparent frameworks to ensure fair participation in the data economy. In conclusion, data monetization represents a transformative force in the digital economy, requiring integrated strategies that combine technological innovation with ethical governance to achieve sustainable and equitable economic outcomes.
References
Birch, K., Cochrane, D., & Ward, C. (2021). Data as asset? The measurement, governance, and valuation of digital personal data by Big Tech. Big Data & Society, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517211017308
Butaboev, M., Qodirov, B., & Askarov, X. (2025). Big data as the oil of the digital economy. BIO Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202518602009
Ding, X., Li, G., Tang, Y., Liang, C., Yu, T., Zhou, M., Liu, Y., Qian, Z., Song, Z., & Wang, H. (2025). A survey on data asset value change estimation and appreciation with data governance. Big Data Mining and Analytics. https://doi.org/10.26599/bdma.2025.9020034
Firouzi, F., Farahani, B., Daneshmand, M., & Pautasso, C. (2022). Guest editorial special issue on AI-driven IoT data monetization: A transition from value islands to value ecosystems. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 9, 5578–5580. https://doi.org/10.1109/jiot.2022.3157183
Gawer, A. (2021). Digital platforms and ecosystems: Remarks on the dominant organizational forms of the digital age. Innovation, 24, 110–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/14479338.2021.1965888
Güngör, D. (2025). The economic implications of data monetization in a digital-first economy. Next Generation Journal for The Young Researchers. https://doi.org/10.62802/y1eqqs51
Hackfort, S., Marquis, S., & Bronson, K. (2024). Harvesting value: Corporate strategies of data assetization in agriculture and their socio-ecological implications. Big Data & Society, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517241234279
Hayashi, T., Ishimura, G., & Ohsawa, Y. (2021). Structural characteristics of stakeholder relationships and value chain network in data exchange ecosystem. IEEE Access, 9, 52266–52276. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3070017
Jnr, B. (2023). Decentralized brokered enabled ecosystem for data marketplace in smart cities towards a data sharing economy. Environment Systems and Decisions, 43, 453–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-023-09907-0
Koskinen, J., Knaapi-Junnila, S., Helin, A., Rantanen, M., & Hyrynsalmi, S. (2023). Ethical governance model for the data economy ecosystems. Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance. https://doi.org/10.1108/dprg-01-2022-0005
Liu, L. (2020). The rise of data politics: Digital China and the world. Studies in Comparative International Development, 56, 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-021-09319-8
Márton, A. (2021). Steps toward a digital ecology: Ecological principles for the study of digital ecosystems. Journal of Information Technology, 37, 250–265. https://doi.org/10.1177/02683962211043222
Oliynyk, D. (2021). Forming a data ecosystem: International experience of infrastructure asset management. Fìnansi Ukraïni. https://doi.org/10.33763/finukr2021.11.038
Otto, B. (2022). The evolution of data spaces. [Book Chapter], 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93975-5_1
Piétron, D., Staab, P., & Hofmann, F. (2023). Digital circular ecosystems: A data governance approach. GAIA – Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.32.s1.7
Sánchez, B., Alcarria, R., Ladid, L., & Machalek, A. (2024). Using privacy-preserving algorithms and blockchain tokens to monetize industrial data in digital marketplaces. Computers, 13, 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13040104
Tuncsiper, Z., Şanlısoy, S., & Aydın, Ü. (2025). Economic transformation from physical to digital: A bibliometric analysis of the metaverse economy. Journal of Metaverse. https://doi.org/10.57019/jmv.1608255
Virani, S. (2023). Navigating the data economy: A comprehensive review of evolution, impact, and future trends. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology. https://doi.org/10.47001/irjiet/2023.712003
Wang, Z., & Song, J. (2024). Data monetization pathways and complex dynamic game equilibrium analysis in the energy industry. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 61, 1725–1734. https://doi.org/10.1109/tia.2024.3430246
Zhang, X., Yue, W., Yu, Y., & Zhang, X. (2023). How to monetize data: An economic analysis of data monetization strategies under competition. Decision Support Systems, 173, 114012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2023.114012
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Salamah Utami

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
