Information asymmetry in the digital economy

Information asymmetry is a problem that prevents communication processes to be effective in the digital economy. In this paper, we propose a model for understanding information asymmetry. Our analyses are conducted using the newspaper industry, the healthcare sector, and the stock exchange market. These analyses are examined using theories of communication processes in which two or more actors are necessary to engage in activities of information exchange. The study of these three examples resulted in the identification of four information exchange patterns: influenced, intentional, hindered, and unawares. Furthermore, we discuss implications of the model for information exchange in practice. The paper concludes by challenging sustainability in the digital economy, which remains problematic and difficult to achieve.