The Economics of Computers -- microeconomics, business decisions regarding computers, studies of, regression analysis; RAND Corporation Research Study.
Columbia University Press NY & London, 1969, second printing 1970; 571 pages, Index, selected list of RAND books.
Condition: Good overall, brown cloth hardcover in Good dustjacket; jacket white with color illustrations of punched cards in blue and shades of green. Edgewear and chipping to jakcet, darkening along jacket flaps; foxing and browning along inside hinges. BInding is sound and secure, pages unmarked.
Categories: 1960's computers and computing, Computers and Society, General Histories and References
See all items by William Sharpe
Price: $8.00
Item Description
'This book examines the cost-effectiveness of computers (circa late 1960s) and their attendant equipment; it will benefit computer center managers and students of computer science, as well as economists interested in the computer industry.Treats a number of questions such as, What are the terms offered by manufacturers for their equipment; service bureaus for computer time; time-sharing firms for remote terminal usage; What is the relationship between cost and effectiveness for various types of memory devices; How rapid has technological progress in the computer industry been; How great are the economies of scale in computation etc.
The author assumes a minimum background in economics and mathematics, and very little prior knowledge of computers. The book is divided into two parts -- Part I presents concepts from microeconomic theory particularly relevant for those concerned with installation and use of computers; Part II deals with specific problems and presents relevant empirical material. An appendix on regression analysis is included...' (from the jacket)
Contents includes --
THEORY -- Microeconomic Theory, an introduction; Value and Demand; Revenue and Profit; Time and Risk; COsts, Inputs and Outputs;
APPLICATIONS -- the Computer Industry; The Sale and Rental of Computers - terms and conditions; The Sale and Rental of computers - legal constraints and economic issues; The COst and Effectivness of Computer Systems; Pricing Computer Services; The Computer industry -- services, markets, and costs; more.