PurposePrincipled discussions on the economic value of data are frequently pursued through metaphors. This study aims to explore three influential metaphors for talking about the economic value of data: data are the new oil, data as infrastructure and data as an asset.Design/methodology/approachWith the help of conceptual metaphor theory, various meanings surrounding the three metaphors are explored. Meanings clarified or hidden through various metaphors are identified. Specific emphasis is placed on the economic value of ownership of data.FindingsIn discussions on data as (...) economic resource, the three different metaphors are used for separate purposes. The most used metaphor, data are the new oil, communicates that ownership of data could lead to great wealth. However, with data as infrastructure data have no intrinsic value. Therefore, profits generated from data resources belong to those processing the data, not those owning it. The data as an asset metaphor can be used to convince organizational leadership that they own data of great value.Originality/valueThis is the first scholarly investigation of metaphors communicating economic value of data. More studies in this area appear urgent, given the power of such metaphors, as well as the increasing importance of data in economics. (shrink)

Constructive Technology Assessment aims to involve a multitude of stakeholders in discussions involving technology. However, all technological assessment is mediated through concepts. Development of concepts regarding technology rich futures has been lively but confusing for many stakeholders. Utilizing bibliographic data from Web of Science, this article overviews and discusses ten influential concepts that have played an important role during the 2000s. It is argued that the lively and dynamic concept production leads to numerous problems for a CTA approach.