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If capital is what produces a stream of income - and that…

“If capital is what produces a stream of income - and that is a definition no one seems to quarrel with - then it follows that software is a form of capital. It has always been difficult to measure any form of knowledge capital, but in the past the problem was not as urgent, since the ratio of…” quote by Walter B. Wriston
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““If capital is what produces a stream of income - and that is a definition no one seems to quarrel with - then it follows that software is a form of capital. It has always been difficult to measure any form of knowledge capital, but in the past the problem was not as urgent, since the ratio of difficult-to-quantify knowledge capital to more tangible capital was not as high or growing as rapidly as it is today.””

Walter B. Wriston

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Knowledge, especially software, is now a form of capital that’s hard to quantify.

In simple terms: Software is capital but hard to measure.

Key Takeaway

Develop metrics for knowledge assets.

Themes

economics technology valuation

Mood

analytical strategic

Type

business economic

When to use this quote

  • investment decisions
  • R&D budgeting
  • strategic planning

Key Concepts

intangible assets knowledge economy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can firms capture software value?
  • What are risks of misvaluation?
A Different Perspective

Quantifying may be imprecise.

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