This essay discusses the growing threat to the flow of ideas that arises from increased government activity in, and attempts to control, the whole field of information. Government publication of census data and medical research information and competition between federal government and private industry in the information market are covered. (EJS)

The first paper discusses the factors involved in a decision to provide document delivery services, including user needs, competitive climate, business potential, fit with current business, and logistics of providing the service. The second reviews the kinds of additional products that can be developed as a byproduct of conventional database…

Discusses the role of business information in company development. Types of information within a company are described, including communications information, management information, and planning information; access to organized information is discussed; strategically oriented information management activity is explained; and the relationship…

Presents the steps used in developing a marketing plan for an abstracting and indexing service, based on the operating experiences of BioSciences Information Service. Organizational activities, measurements to be applied to the plan, media choices involved, and allocation of marketing funds are discussed. (Author/CLB)

This essay considers problems with perceptions of the value of academic and public library information and thus with its marketing and pricing. Public perceptions of information, awareness of information services, value and cost of information, pricing details, and cooperation between libraries and providers of services are discussed. Seven…

Summarizes presentations on profitability in the information industry from the viewpoints of producers, who have to have a reason to be in business, and users, whose businesses are often driven by the information they can access and the price of that information. (Author/CLB)

Includes five selected papers from the Thirty-Second Annual Conference of the National Federation of Abstracting and Information Services. Highlights include future possibilities of electronic information delivery; changes in information exchange between the United States and unified European governments; Japanese information systems; updating…

Examines principal policy decisions affecting U.S. government's information activities and explores applicability and impact of government's policy on generation and dissemination of information. Types of information resources that individuals need to function effectively as consumers and citizens and extent to which private sector is serving…

Describes in detail the system by which the American Institute of Physics produces primary journals, a database of secondary information, and secondary information products through multiple use of originally input material in order to realize savings. Uses for the data, work flow, and file structure and conversion are highlighted. (EJS)

Eight papers from the FID/II Pre-Conference Seminar (Espoo, Finland, August 24-25, 1988) discuss issues related to the use of information as a tool in the context of business information services, strategic information management, business intelligence systems, information resources management, and the role of information and documentation in…

Discusses the use of CD-ROMs in Africa based on experiences of the Population Information Program (PIP) at Johns Hopkins University. Topics addressed include available CD-ROM hardware; how CD-ROMs can help alleviate information problems in Africa; and how to market CD-ROMs in Africa. (10 references) (LRW)

This essay addresses factors that influence a customer's perception of the value of online information delivery services: evident costs, uncertain return, long-term return, not directly productive, overhead expense, and differential use. Roles assumed in acquiring and using information services (purchasers, searchers, consumers), price, and…

A description of the EPA/NIH (Environmental Protection Agency/National Institutes of Health) Chemical Information System provides background for a discussion of the management of the system by public agencies; problems which led to the decision to transfer the system of the private sector; and the current status of the database. (CLB)

Discussion of challenges faced by corporate information services (IS) departments focuses on the role of information in value-creation within a company and the necessity for organizing information to meet the needs of business managers. A basically new method of working--information counseling--is advocated as a way for the IS department to…

Describes an experiment which compares two methods of charging users for online searches; first, a time-based charge; and second, a two-part fee determined by connect time and citations printed. The results are analyzed in terms of patterns of user activity under both systems. (CLB)