Johannes M. Bauer
Quello Chair in Media and Information Policy and Director, James H. and Mary B. Quello Center | Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI, UNITED STATES
Expert in the digital economy, including digital innovation, information and media policy, Internet governance including net neutrality
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Biography
A researcher, writer, teacher, and academic entrepreneur, I am grateful that my position as professor and chair of the Department of Media and Information allows me to pursue these interests to the fullest. I am educated as engineer and social scientist with a PhD in economics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria. Michigan State University has been my home institution since 1990. It has been generous to allow extended periods at other universities, including the Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands (2000-2001), the University of Constance, Germany (Summer 2010), and the University of Zurich, Switzerland (2012).
I feel passionate about the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in empowering individuals, creating sustainable communities, and fostering more inclusive and livable societies. My experience also tells me that this will require appropriate governance and collective action. Consequently, my research covers innovation in ICTs and their uses, media and information entrepreneurship (both for profit and social), as well as the governance challenges of harnessing the full benefits of ICTs. Over the years, I have learned much from my students and from collaborating with people in practice. I have had the good fortune to work with individuals in public and private sector organizations in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
Industry Expertise (3)
Writing and Editing
Education/Learning
Research
Areas of Expertise (8)
Media Economics
Media Policy
Net Neutrality
Information Policy
Digital Economy
Internet Governance
Technology Policy
Digital Innovation
Accomplishments (1)
2013 Distinguished Faculty Awards (professional)
2013 Johannes Bauer is one of the world’s leading scholars in the area of telecommunications policy, with a remarkable record of global engagement, sustained productivity and grant funding.
Education (3)
University of Economics and Business Administration: Ph.D., Economics 1989
Summa Cum Laude
University of Economics and Business Administration: M.A., Economics 1982
Summa Cum Laude
Federal Secondary College of Engineering: Engineer, Precision Mechanics 1975
Summa Cum Laude
Affiliations (7)
- Telecommunications Policy : Associate Editor
- Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy (TPRC) : Member of the Board of Directors
- Quello Center for Media and Information Policy : Research Associate
- Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia University : Fellow
- International Telecommunications Policy Review
- International Scientific Advisory Board,
- Information Economics and Policy
Links (4)
News (3)
Toward a Twenty-First Century U.S. Communications Policy
Quello Center online
2018-09-20
Digital transformation and the digital economy are high on the agenda of policy-makers worldwide. Seeking to secure global leadership in future growth industries, such as 5G wireless communications, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), an increasing number of countries are reassessing prevailing communications laws and policies. The urgency of the discussion is amplified by recent experiences in the digital economy that reveal some of its fundamental flaws and shortcomings.
Network Neutrality Repeal: How Not To Restore Internet Freedom
Forbes online
2017-12-14
Since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its intention to repeal the 2015 network neutrality rules, the debate has been intense, emotional, and ripe with accusations. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai engaged in a heated Twitter spat with Alyssa Milano, an outspoken supporter of network neutrality.
How Tech Policy Can Mitigate Income Inequality
Forbes online
2017-02-01
While trade and foreign agents received most of the blame during the presidential campaign, technological developments can have an even larger impact on income inequality. Entrepreneurs in the digital economy have generated numerous new jobs and higher incomes for many.
Journal Articles (5)
Complementary innovation and network neutrality
Telecommunications Policy
Johannes M.Bauer, & Günter Knieps
2018 One of the central goals of network neutrality policies is to safeguard Internet-based innovation. Historically, entrepreneurial activities in applications and services were a main driver of innovation and stimulated complementary advances in networking. With the increasing heterogeneity of services, this virtuous cycle of complementary innovation is changing.
Techno-unemployment: A framework for assessing the effects of information and communication technologies on work
Telematics and Informatics
Martha Garcia-Murillo, Ian MacInness, Johannes M. Bauer
2018 We present a comprehensive framework about the effect of ICTs on employment. Delayed (not instant) substitutes give time to adjust and mitigate effects on jobs. New industries, education and labor protections may mitigate negative effects.
Roles and Effects of Access Regulation in 5G Markets
SSRN
Bauer, Johannes M. and Bohlin, Erik
2018 5G wireless services will constitute an integral part of the future gigabit communication network infrastructure. Policy makers worldwide are striving to design legal and regulatory frameworks that best support 5G services. There is wide agreement that a competitive sector organization is superior, but the emerging models differ in the specific roles assigned to policy and regulation. This study explores the implications of alternative policy scenarios for innovation and investment in 5G networks and services.
Economics of Fighting Botnets: Lessons from a Decade of Mitigation
IEEE Security & Privacy
Asghari, Hadi, van Eeten, Michel, & Bauer, Johannes M.
2015 The fight against botnets has been going on for more than a decade, but they still impose significant costs. ISPs have become increasingly central to the effort, as they can undertake mitigation more economically and efficiently than end users. A study evaluates the role and performance of ISPs in botnet mitigation across 60 countries.
Governing the Mobile Broadband Ecosystem
International Telecommunications Policy Review
Johannes M. Bauer
2015 The number of users accessing the Internet via mobile devices and mobile broadband is increasing rapidly. Keenly aware of the considerable economic and social effects of mobile broadband many countries are searching for policies that can boost their benefits for society. Designing such a framework is complicated by the dynamic technological change and pervasive interdependencies among players in the advanced mobile communication system. Established regulatory theory and practice may not provide reliable guidance because they are rooted in assumptions and conventions that do not appropriately reflect these new technological and economic conditions. Moreover, how government and non-government forms of coordination (“governance”) affect outcomes is complicated by the existence of non-linear direct and indirect effects whose net impact on performance is not well understood. This article explores these challenges conceptually and outlines a roadmap for rethinking the governance of mobile broadband.