Charging policies and practice in corporate information units in the UK 1: To charge or not to charge?

Abstract

The advantages and disadvantages of charging for information services, particularly in corporate internal units. are reviewed. Current charging practice was surveyed. mainly in information units in product-based industries in the UK, but supplemented by units in service-based companies in Greater London This indicated that 43% of services in product-based companies charge, although there is some variation between different sectors of industry, and 58% of service-based compa mes charge. Although some people were very enthusiastic, the majority of respondents were not in favour of charging. On balance, units that do charge were slightly larger, but all units seemed to have similar categories of users. It did become clear that respondents have different interpretations of the term "charging".