International Trade in Computer Software

The U.S. computer software industry dominates the globe. But why has this critical industry succeeded so dramatically in world competition when so many other strategic technologies have fallen to foreign suppliers? In a detailed and well-reasoned economic analysis, Siwek and Furchtgott-Roth present the first truly comprehensive examination of international trade in computer software.

The authors identify software as one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States as measured by value-added to gross domestic product, employment, and foreign sales. They document the historical importance of U.S.-produced software in both American and foreign markets and they present country-by-country assessments of software markets around the world. Siwek and Furchtgott-Roth identify the principal areas of advantage held by the U.S. software industry and they go on to assess the future prospects of U.S. software in world markets.

STEPHEN E. SIWEK is Director of Financial Analysis, Economists Incorporated, Washington, D.C. He is co-author of International Trade in Films and Television Programs, and has written and lectured on trade in copyright-protected products in the United States and Europe. Mr. Siwek has served as economic and financial consultant to many corporations and trade associations with policy-level responsibilities in the areas of intellectual property and international trade.

HAROLD W. FURCHTGOTT-ROTH is Senior Economist, Economists Incorporated, Washington, D.C., where he has concentrated on economic issues in international trade, telecommunications regulation, taxation, and intellectual property. Dr. Furchtgott-Roth was a Research Fellow at the Bookings Institution.