Problems in Forecasting the Price and Demand for On-Line Information Services

Abstract

One of the most important recent changes in the provision of information for industry, government, research organisations and the general public has been the development of on-line information systems. Acceptance of these systems and therefore their growth and development has been much slower in Europe than it has in the United States. But many people believe that their use will increase enormously over the next decade both as a substitute for other information services and as an entirely new type of service especially as technology which exploits the interactive nature of the system and understanding of how to use it become more developed. These advocates see on-line information systems providing not just the secondary source material that is their present main staple, but also details of product specifications, up-to-date commercial and economic information, other kinds of numerical data and problem solving capability such as that required to assist medical practitioners in diagnosis.