Time saving as the measure of value of information services

Abstract

The value ot intermediary information products and services can be expressed by an added value contributing to usage or enhancing usage of information. According to international practice, time saving that can be gained by users through buying these services can be used as a measure for their evaluation. Time saved this way can be devoted to other useful jobs. In addition to UNESCO's international examples. British and American researchers have investigated this issue, and they have often quoted time saving as the value of services. Data of OMIKK's current awareness services for 1990 were used to support evaluation of time saving in Hungary 83.000 users of the subscribed 10,000 current awareness subjects have saved a total of 1,500,000 hours during the year through their relieving from document searching, selecting etc. The value expressed in money terms of time saving by using the manual current awareness service amounted to HUF 31 0 million a year.