Qualifications
BSocSc, New England; BA (Hons), Griffiths; PhD (Economics). Univ. of Queensland

Professional experience
John is currently Professorial Fellow at Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Economic Studies (CSES) and Director of the Centre's Information Technologies and the Information Economy Program.

He has had a number of years experience in information technology policy, more general industry policy and related economic research. He has published and spoken widely on information technology, industry, and science and technology policy issues. He has co-authored several chapters in the past years of the OECD publications Information Technology Outlook and Communications Outlook. He also publishes two annual updates on the Australian ICT industry sponsored by the Australian Computing Society. These reports use the path-breaking mapping methodology he developed with M. Pucar and C. Knox and published in Mapping Information Industries (Productivity Commission 1996). In 1998, John was awarded a National Australia Day Council, Australia Day Medal for his contribution to IT industry policy development.

John Houghton’ research is at the interface of theory and practice with a strong focus on the policy application of economic and social theory, and of leading-edge research in various relevant fields. Consequently, his contribution tends to be in bringing knowledge and research methods to bear on policy issues in an effort to raise the level of policy debate and improve policy outcomes.

Previous positions:

• Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Research on Communication and Information Technologies (CIRCIT); where he was the leader and coordinator of the centre’s Software and Services Research Program and editor of the widely circulated CIRCIT Newsletter.
• Principal Economist at the Bureau of Industry Economics (BIE), where he led a research program focusing on communication and information technology policy issues and participated in the Bureau’s infrastructure services benchmarking program.
• Adviser, Information Industries Policy at the Australian Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Tourism (DIST), where he played a role in the development of policy within the Information Industries Taskforce and in the production of the ‘Goldsworthy report’ (The Information Economy: The Way Ahead, report of the National Information Industries Taskforce, July 1997).
• Principal Adviser, State Development Policy with the Victorian Department of State Development, where he took a lead role in directing the Department’s policy research and development agenda.

Publications

Books and reports

Houghton, J. and Welsh, A. 2009, Australian ICT Trade Update 2009, Australian Computer Society, Sydney.

Houghton, J., Rasmussen, B. and Sheehan, S.; with Oppenheim, C., Morris, A., Creaser, C., Greenwood, H., Summers, M. and Gourlay, A. 2009, Economic implications of Alternative Scholarly Publishing Models: Exploring the Costs and Benefits, JISC EI-ASPM Project, Report to the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) (UK), CSES and Loughborough University, January.

Houghton, J. et al. and Strategic Networks Group 2008, Australian Digital Economy Benchmarking, Report to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy by Strategic Networks Group and Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Melbourne, November.

Houghton, J.W. 2007, Australian ICT Trade Update 2007, Australian Computer Society, Sydney, April.

Houghton, J. 2006, Global Chains Australia’s Challenge in the Evolving International Economy, CEDA Competing from Australia Project Paper 1, Melbourne.

Houghton, J., Steele, C. and Sheehan, P. 2006, Research Communication Costs in Australia: Emerging Opportunities and Benefits, Report to the Department of Education, Science and Training, Canberra, CSES, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Ridder, J., Hibbard, J. and Houghton, J. 2006, Big Pipes: Connecting Western Australia to the Global Knowledge Economy, report to Western Australian Information and Communications Technology Forum, Perth.

Houghton, J. 2006, Australian ICT Trade Update 2006, Australian Computer Society & Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Sydney & Melbourne, March.

Dennis, I., Houghton, J. (CSES), Hogg, R., Singleton, P., McLean, B., Eames, R. and Xydias, T. 2006, The Australian Software Industry & Vertical Applications Markets: Globally Competitive, Domestically Undervalued, report to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Centre for Innovative Economics Research Consortium, April, Canberra.

Houghton, J., Rose, M., Humphreys, J., Morris, P. and Liston, J. 2005, Electronics Industry Capability Mapping ,Electronics Industry Action Agenda, AEEMA, Canberra.

Houghton, J. 2005, Digital Broadband Content: Scientific Publishing, Working Party on the Information Economy, September, OECD, Paris.
Houghton, J. 2005, Digital Delivery in Distribution and Logistics, Working Party on the Information Economy, May, OECD, Paris.

Morris, P., Houghton, J.W. and Thorburn, L. 2005, The Western Australian Electronics Industry Cluster, Prepared for the Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources on behalf of the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association

Houghton, J. 2005, Australian ICT Trade Update 2005, Australian Computer Society and Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Sydney and Melbourne.

Houghton, J.W. 2004, Digital Delivery of Business Services, DSTI/ICCP/IE(2003)2/FINAL, Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, OECD Paris.

Houghton, J.W. and Thorburn, L. 2004, The Victorian Electronics Industry Cluster, Houghton, J. and Thorburn, L. The Victorian Electronics Industry Cluster, report prepared for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development on behalf of the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies (Victoria University) and Advanced Consulting and Evaluation.

Houghton, J.W. 2003, Australian ICT Trade Update 2003, sponsored by the Australian Computing Society, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Melbourne.

Houghton, J.W. and Morris, P. 2003, National Electrical and Communications Association Industry Study, report to NECA, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Melbourne.

Houghton, J. W., Steele, C. and Henty, M. 2003, Changing Research Practices in the Digital Information and Communication, Report to the Department of Education, Science and Training, Canberra.

Houghton, J.W. 2003, Australian ICT Industries Update 2003, sponsored by the Australian Computing Society, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

TIAC (Houghton, J.W. et al.) 2002, Directions for Industry Policy in Western Australia within the Global Knowledge Economy, Western Australian Technology & Industry Advisory Council, Perth (February 2002). www.wa.gov.au/tiac/ directions/index.html

Houghton, J.W. 2002, ICT Development in Australia: A Strategic Policy Review, report prepared for the Australian Computer Society, CSES, Melbourne.

Thorburn, L.J. and Houghton, J.W. 2002, Environmental Business in the ACT: Mapping the Landscape, Business ACT, Canberra, September.

Thorburn, L.J., Houghton, J.W. and Taylor, G. 2002, Obtaining Economic Benefits from Public Sector Research in the ACT, Business ACT, Canberra, September.

Houghton, J.W. 2002, Australian ICT Trade Update 2002, sponsored by the Australian Computing Society, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Thorburn, L., Langdale, J. and Houghton, J.W. 2002, Friend or Foe? Leveraging Foreign Multinationals in the Australian Economy, Australian Business Foundation, Sydney (January 2002). www.abfoundation.com.au

Houghton, J. 2001, Australian ICT Trade Update 2001, sponsored by the Australian Computing Society, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Houghton, J. 2001, Information Industries Update 2001, sponsored by the Australian Computing Society, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Houghton, J. and Jolley, A. 2001, National Capability Statement on Australia’s Environment Industry 2001, report prepared for Environment Australia, Canberra, 242 pp.

Houghton, J. and Pappas, N. May 2001, Impact of the ICT Industry in Australia, report prepared for the Australian Computing Society, Sydney, 33 pp.

Houghton, J.W. et al. 2001, Information and Communications Technology Industry Plan: Sub-Sectors Study, prepared for MultiMedia Victoria, Allen Consulting Group, Melbourne, May 2001, 10 7pp.

Houghton, J.W. and Morris, P. 2001, Broadband Networks and Services: Regulatory Issues in Australia, prepared for the International Telecommunication Union, Geneva, April 2001, 49 pp.

Sheehan, P., Houghton, J. and Rasmussen, B. 2001, Project Assessment in a Knowledge Based Economy: Identifying and Measuring the Dynamic Benefits, prepared for The Victorian Department of State and Regional Development, KPMG, Melbourne, September, 44 pp.

Houghton, J. and Pappas, N. 2000. Economic Impact of the CRC for Technical Textiles and Fibres, report to the Provisional Board of the TT&F CRC, Melbourne, October, 63 pp.

Houghton, J. 2000, The Economics of Scholarly Communication, report prepared for the Coalition of Innovation in Scholarly Communication (includes representatives from university libraries, the Academies, the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, the Australian Research Council, the CSIRO, and the Department of Education, Training and Youth), Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Houghton, J., Jolley, A. and Pappas, N. 2000, Overseas Market Activities of the Building and Construction Industry, report prepared for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Canberra), Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne.

Sheehan, P., Houghton, J., Johnston, R., Phillimore, J., Marinova, D., and Morris, P. May 2000, The Drivers and Shapers of Economic Development in Western Australia in the 21st Century, Report prepared for the Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (Western Australia), Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne (in collaboration with the Australian Centre Innovation and International Competitiveness (ACIIC), Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy (ISTP), Murdoch University, and Telesis Communications.

Book chapters

Houghton, J.W. et al. 2009, ‘The IT industry: Recent developments and outlook’, in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2008, OECD, Paris

Houghton, J.W. 2009, ‘The globalisation of the ICT sector,' in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2008, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. 2009, ‘Exploring the impacts of enhanced access to publicly funded research’, in P.F. Uhlir (ed.), The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on Digital Networks: Towards a Better Understanding of Different Access and Reuse Policies, U.S. National Committee for CODATA, Board on Research Data and Information, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC.

Houghton, J.W. 2008, ‘ICT trade and globalisation in the ICT sector’, in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2008, chap. 2, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. et al. 2008, ‘Recent developments and outlook’, in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2008, chap. 1, OECD, Paris

Houghton, J. 2007, ‘Global Chains: Australia’s Challenge in the Evolving International Economy’, in CEDA, Competing from Australia, Melbourne.

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘Online delivery of tourism services: Developments, issues and challenges’, in W. Pease, M. Rowe and M.Cooper (eds), Information and Communication Technologies in Support of the Tourism Industry, Idea Group, Hershey, PA.

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘Broadband and internet infrastructure’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2007, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘Communications in the emerging BRICS economies’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2007, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘The global knowledge economy'’, in J.N. Rao (ed.), Knowledge-Based Economy: An Introduction, ICFAI University Press, Hydrabad.

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘ICT Trade and Globalisation of the ICT Sector’, in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2006, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J., Steele, C. and Henty, M. 2006, ‘Research practices and scholarly communication in the digital environment’, in B. Grewal and M. Kumnick (eds), Engaging the New World: Responses to the Knowledge Economy, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.

Houghton, J.W. 2005, ‘Economics of publishing and the future of scholarly communication’, in G.E. Gorman and F. Rowland (eds), International Year Book of Library and Information Management 2004–2005: Scholarly Publishing in an Electronic Era, Facet Publishing, London.

Houghton, J. 2005, ‘Internet and Broadband Infrastructure’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2005, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J. 2005, ‘Employment and Productivity’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2005, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J. 2005, ‘Trade in Communication Equipment ‘, in OECD Communications Outlook 2005, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. 2004, ‘Economics of publishing and the future of scholarly communication’, in G.E. Gorman and F. Rowland (eds), International Year Book of Library and Information Management 2004-2005: Scholarly Publishing in an Electronic Era, Facet Publishing, London.

Houghton, J.W. 2004, ’Globalisation of the ICT sector’ in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2004, OECD, Paris, December.

Houghton, J.W. forthcoming, ‘Internet Infrastructure, Employment and Productivity, and Trade in Communication Equipment’, 3 chapters in Communications Outlook 2003, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. 2002, ‘Globalisation of the ICT Sector’ in OECD Information Technology Outlook 2002, chapter 2, OECD, Paris.

Houghton, J.W. 2002, ‘Falling Behind on ICT adoption Indicators: Can we Afford this?, in Mansell, R. Samarajiva, R. and Mahan, A. (eds) Networking Knowledge for Information Societies: Institutions and Intervention, Delft University Press, Delft, The Netherlands.

Houghton, J., Pappas, N. and Sheehan, P. 2002, ‘“New Manufacturing”: One Approach to the Knowledge Economy’, in B. Grewal, P. Sheehan, F. Sun and L. Xue (eds), China’s Future in the Knowledge Economy: Engaging the New World, Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, and Tsinghua University Press, Melbourne.

Houghton, J. 2001, ‘Internet Infrastructure’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2001, chap. 5, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, pp. 97-118.

Houghton, J. 2001, ‘Employment and Productivity’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2001, chap. 9, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris pp. 229-248.

Houghton, J. 2001, ‘Trade in Communication Equipment’, in OECD Communications Outlook 2001, chap. 10, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, pp. 249-264.

Houghton, J. 1996, ‘Growth and Opportunity: Telecommunication Services Markets in APEC’, in J.G. Savage, and D.J. Wedemeyer (eds), Proceedings of the Pacific Telecommunications Council 18th Annual Conference, PTC'96, PTC, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Journal articles

Houghton, J.W. and Sheehan, P. 2009, ‘Estimating the potential impacts of open access to research findings,’ Economic Analysis and Policy, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 127-142.
Houghton, J.W. and Sheehan, P. 2009, ‘Estimating the potential impacts of open access to research findings,’ Economic Analysis and Policy, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 127-142.

Houghton, J.W., Steele, C. and Sheehan, P. 2008, ‘Scholarly communication costs in Australian higher education’, Higher Education Management and Policy, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 27-44.

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘The globalisation of ICT research and development: Some implications for firms, public research institutions and governments’, under review at Minerva.

Houghton, J.W. with Steele, C. and Sheehan, P. 2007, ‘Scholarly communication costs in Australian higher education,’ under review at Higher Education Management and Policy.

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘Innovation in ICT: A changing landscape’, Telecommunications Journal of Australia, vol. 56, no. 3/4, pp. 93-105.

Houghton, J. and Walker, D. 2006, ‘Connecting to the Global Chains’, Australian Chief Executive, CEDA, December.

Houghton, J. 2005, ‘Changing research practices and research infrastructure development’, Higher Education Management and Policy, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 63-81.

Houghton, J.W., with Steele, C. and Henty, M. 2004, ‘Research practices, evaluation and infrastructure in the digital environment’, Australian Academic and Research Libraries, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 161–176.

Houghton, J.W., Steele, C. and Henty, M. 2004, ‘Research practices and scholarly communication in the digital environment’, Learned Publishing, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 231-249

Houghton, J.W. 2003 ‘ICT and the productivity debate’, Information Age, February.

Houghton, J.W. 2003, 'Australian ICT Industries Update', Information Age, June.

Houghton, J.W. 2001, 'Crisis and Transition: The Economics of Scholarly Communication', Learned Publishing vol. 14, no. 3, Journal of the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP), London, pp. 167-176.

Houghton, J.W. 2001, Australia’s ICT Trade Performance,’ CommsWorld, Informa Publishing Australia, Sydney.

Houghton, J.W. (1999), ‘Mapping Information Industries and Markets’, Telecommunications Policy, vol. 23, nos 10-11, pp. 689-699.

Houghton, J.W. (1999), ‘Australia’s IT Trade Position’, Australian Communications, August, pp. 15-18.

Houghton, J.W. (1999), ‘ICT Market Forces’, Australian Communications, July, pp. 15-18.

Houghton, J., Lawrence, D. and George, A. 1997, ‘International Comparisons of Australia’s Infrastructure Performance’, Journal of Productivity Analysis, vol. 8 no. 4, pp. 361-378.

Houghton, J., Pucar, M. and Knox, C. 1996, ‘Mapping Information Technology’, Futures, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 1-15.

Houghton, J. 1996, ‘Telecommunications Services in APEC Countries’, Asia-Pacific Economic Review, vol. 2, no. 3.

Conference presentations

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘Research communication in Australia: Emerging opportunities and benefits’, invited presentation to the National Scholarly Communications Forum, Improving Access to Australian Publicly Funded Research: Advancing Knowledge and the Knowledge Economy, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, 16 July, available at http://www.humanities.org.au/Events/NSCF/NSCF2007/NSCF2007Programme.htm

Houghton, J.W. 2007, ‘The Economics of Scholarly Publication’, presentation to Sustaining Digital Libraries Symposium, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 13-14 September, available at: http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/news/sdlc.html

Houghton, J.W. 2007, 'Global Chains: Australia’s Challenge in the Evolving International Economy’, invited presentation at CEDA launch, Competing from Australia, Swissotel, Sydney, 20 July.

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘Scholarly Communication Costs and Benefits: The Role of Repositories’, invited keynote presentation at the APSR event ‘The Successful Repository’, Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories, Brisbane, 29 June, http://www.apsr.edu.au/presentations/successful.html

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘Exploring the Economic Impacts of Open Access: A Research Perspective’, invited keynote presentation at JISC Conference ‘Moving Towards Open Access’, Keble College, Oxford, 27-28 September, http://www.jisc.ac.uk/events/2006/09/event_oaconf_0906.aspx 

Houghton, J. 2006, ‘ICT and the new wave of globalisation’, invited keynote speaker to ‘ICT Enabling our Future’, Technology Information and Communications Industry Collaboration Centre of Western Australia 18 November, Perth, available: http://www.icticc.org.au/ictwa2005/home.htm

Houghton, J. 2005, ‘Scholarly communication in a knowledge-based economy’, paper presented at ETD 2005: Evolution through Discovery, 8th International Electronic Theses and Dissertations Symposium , Sydney, 28–30 September, http://adt.caul.edu.au/etd2005/program.html

Houghton, J.W. 2004, ‘Changing Research Practices, Research Infrastructure and Evaluations’, paper presented at the IMHE General Conference Choices and Responsibilities: Higher Education in the Knowledge Society, Institutional Management in Higher Education Programme, OECD, Paris, 13-15 September.

Houghton, J.W. 2003, ‘Australian ICT Trade Update’, Australian Computer Society, Sydney, 17 November.

Houghton, J. 2002, ‘Crisis and Transition: The Economics of Scholarly Communication’, paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, May 30-31, and June 1.

Houghton, J. 2002, ‘Leader or Laggard? Australia's Performance as a Producer of Information and Communication Technologies’, paper presented at Markets Forum 7, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, 9 May.

Houghton, J.W. 2002 ‘The Crisis in Scholarly Communication: An Economic Analysis’, paper presentation at the 11th Biennial Conference VALA 2002 ‘Evolving Information Futures’, Victorian Association for Library Automation, Melbourne, 6-8 February.

Houghton, J. 2001, ‘Broadband Networks and Services: Australian Case Study’, paper presented at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Workshop on the Regulatory Implications of Broadband, Geneva, 2-4 May.

Houghton, J.W. 2001, ‘Economics of Scholarly Communication’, National Scholarly Communication Forum Roundtable No. 12 ‘Grounds for Inquiry: The Structure of Scholarly Communication in Australia’, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 8 August 2001, Academy of the Humanities, Canberra (www.caul.edu.au/nscf).

Houghton, J.W. 2001, ‘The Crisis in Scholarly Communication: An Economic Analysis’, paper presented at Scholarly Communication: Facing the Challenges of the New Millennium, QULOC, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4-5 December.

Houghton, J. 2001, ‘Broadband Networks and Services Regulatory Issues (Australia)’, paper prepared for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Workshop on the Regulatory Implications of Broadband, Geneva.

Houghton, J.W. 2000, ‘Generic or Sector Specific Policies for Services?’ paper presented at the Joint OECD/Australia Workshop on Innovation and Productivity in Services, Sydney, 31 October – 3 November.

Houghton, J.W. 2000, ‘ICT Industry Clusters’, paper presented at the Australian ICT Industry Cluster Studies Design Workshop, jointly hosted by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne, 16 October.

Houghton, J. 2000, ‘Economics and Business Models Underlying Australia’s Access to Global Information’, paper presented at the seminar ‘Australia’s Information Future: Securing the Infrastructure for Research and Innovation’, sponsored by the Australian Research Council, the National Academies Forum and the Coalition for Scholarly Information, Canberra, 16 August.

Houghton, J. 2000, ‘The Economics of Scholarly Communication: A Progress Report on the Coalition for Innovation in Scholarly Communication Commissioned Study’, paper presented at the conference ‘Sustainability in the Scholarly Information Market Place: The Search for Digital Library Business Models’, Elsevier Science and Macquarie University Library, Sydney, 2 May.

Houghton, J. 1999, ‘The New Manufacturing, and Product Systems and Innovation in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry and the Building and Construction Industry’, paper presented at the conference ‘New Economic Theories and the Knowledge Economy: Applications to Analysis and Policy for the Australian Economy’, Canberra, 3-4 August.

Houghton, J. and Sheehan, P. 1999, ‘ The Knowledge Economy’, paper presented at the conference ‘New Economic Theories and the Knowledge Economy: Applications to Analysis and Policy for the Australian Economy’, Canberra, 3-4 August.

Houghton, J. 1999, 'The New Manufacturing: An International Review', paper presented at the conference 'The Knowledge Economy and China's Development: Analysis and Policy', Centre for Strategic Economic Studies and Tsinghua University, Beijing, 8-10 July.