The Business of Data: Commercial Opportunities and Social Challenges in a World Fuelled by Data

Why Data Deserves a Business History

From the first stock exchanges to the rise of global internet platforms, data has quietly shaped commerce for centuries. The Business of Data moves beyond headlines about breaches and big data hype to show how the collection, storage, and exchange of information became an industry in its own right. Martin De Saulles brings together economic history, business strategy, and technology policy in one accessible narrative.

From Early Records to Modern Monopolies 📊

The book traces the evolution of business data from ancient writing systems through managerialism and the post-war computing era. It explains why data was valuable long before the internet, then examines how companies built competitive advantages on information long before anyone used the term “big data”.

Inside the New Data-Driven Business Models

De Saulles examines the business logic behind today’s dominant technology firms. Readers learn how internet platforms capture user data, turn it into revenue, and maintain market power. The material connects the dots between data generation, network effects, and the economic logic behind free services.

Privacy, Policy, and the Public Interest 🔒

The book doesn’t shy away from the social tensions created by data-driven markets. It explores privacy challenges, regulatory responses, and the difficult balance between innovation and civil liberties. Policymakers, students, and business leaders will find the policy discussion grounded in real-world examples rather than abstract theory.

The Internet of Things and What Comes Next 🌐

The final chapters look ahead to pervasive computing and IoT. As everyday objects generate new streams of information, the same economic and ethical questions resurface at greater scale. De Saulles helps readers think clearly about the data futures already taking shape.

Who Should Read The Business of Data

The concise, evidence-based approach makes this book valuable for students of business, technology, and public policy, as well as practitioners who need a wider context for their daily work. It is also written for anyone curious about why data now sits at the core of the global economy.

Digital Delights is pleased to offer this thought-provoking ebook for readers who want to understand the forces reshaping business and society.