Market Information Services Research Articles

Appropriateness of agricultural marketing information service in Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This article evaluates the appropriateness of the existing agricultural marketing information service (AMIS) in the Punjab province of Pakistan in terms of the accuracy of data collected, quality of the information produced, effective dissemination of information, and sustainability of the service, based on criteria developed on different indicators. Both secondary and primary data were collected through literature review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative analysis technique was used to discuss the appropriateness of the service. The inappropriate and weak dimensions of the service are highlighted to guide the future improvement of AMIS.

DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL ECONOMY AS AN ELEMENT OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN UKRAINE

The article deals with the basic concepts and basic tendencies of the digital economy. The state and prospects of the development of the digital economy in Ukraine are analyzed. These processes contain both risks and prospects. Therefore, the development of the digital economy should be seen as an element of a social development strategy that needs due attention from academics and experts. In January 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Concept of Development of the Digital Economy and Society of Ukraine for 2018-2020 and approved a plan of measures for its implementation. The document emphasizes that the path to the digital economy and digital society of Ukraine lies through the domestic market for the production, use, and consumption of information and communication technologies and digital technologies. Currently, in Ukraine, the market of information products and services is at the stage of formation. At the same time, the tasks of identifying specific practical legal, regulatory (organizational), economic and financial infrastructural mechanisms for the development of the «digital society» that would facilitate the rapid development of the digital economy remain unresolved.Keywords: digital economy, digital society, information economy, state administration, Ukraine.JEL Classifications: P21, L86, L88DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.8606

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The article deals with the basic concepts and tendencies of the digital economy. The current state of the digital economy and prospects for its development in Ukraine are analyzed. It is proposed to consider the digital economy development as an element of the social development strategy. The research methodology includes neo-institutional and systemic approaches, as well as analysis of statistics and data from social studies. The work concerns equally the theoretical and applied aspects of the topic. The paper is based on secondary data that has been collected from the official statistics, the Internet, science articles, interviews, papers, etc. The analysis results indicate a relatively unfavorable situation in Ukraine. The digital economy development entails dramatic changes in social relations. These processes include both risks (the market is being restructured in a new way, leading to challenges related to jobs, skills, security and privacy), as well as prospects (stimulating innovation, increasing governance efficiency, improving service delivery, inclusion and sustainable economic growth, the well-being of citizens, countries and society). The society and the state should be properly prepared for such changes. Therefore, the digital economy development in terms of public administration should be seen as an element of a social development strategy that requires proper scientific and expert substantiation. The concept of digital economy development in Ukraine envisages several measures aimed at addressing digital gap (from digital jobs to digital initiatives in the modern world, conducting digitalization of industry and business, defining basic digital services, preparing educational modernization measures, as well as forecasting digital development in Ukraine until 2020). On January 17, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy and Society of Ukraine for 2018-2020 and a plan of measures for its implementation. The document emphasizes that the path to the digital economy and digital society of Ukraine lies through the domestic product market, use and consumption of information and communication or digital technologies. The digital economy development is a set of mechanisms, motivation factors, and incentives for the implementation of digital technologies, and, therefore, a branched digital infrastructure for harnessing the state's capabilities, enhancing its competitiveness, and increasing the well-being of citizens. Currently, Ukrainian market of information products and services is at the stage of formation. The market of information products consists of technical and technological components (modern information equipment, powerful computers, advanced computer network and related information processing technologies, which enables to work on the global computer network Internet, search information, customers, goods, hypertext management technology, e-mail); regulatory and legal components (the legal basis for regulating the information market); organizational components (elements of state regulation of interaction between producers and distributors of information products and services). At the same time, the tasks of identifying specific practical legal, regulatory (organizational), economic and financial infrastructural mechanisms for the development of the «digital society» that would facilitate the rapid growth of the digital economy remain unresolved.

How to design innovative information services at the library?

Purpose The subject of the paper is innovative information services. The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential sources of innovation in library information services and point out how they can be used to improve the overall service quality. Design/methodology/approach In the first stage, literature analysis and critique was used to establish the state of research in the field of innovative solutions and select the main sources of innovation in services. Next, a systematic search of the subject literature and network resources was carried out according to the selected criteria to find the examples of innovative commercial services, particularly in the information sector. Findings Libraries, like all customer-oriented service organizations, must innovate and continually evolve to better meet the needs of their audience. It seems that in libraries, the basis of innovation and building a competitive advantage over other institutions may primarily be the thoughtful design of services in the spirit of the assumptions of the experience economy. Innovative ideas based on in-depth knowledge of user needs are less dependent on financial conditions and more on the creativity and enthusiasm of library staff. Research limitations/implications This paper is a conceptual work presenting the issue of innovation from the perspective adopted by the author. The paper does not aim to fulfill the subject but to show some interesting aspects of this issue and help initiate discussions on innovation in libraries from the perspective of phenomena present on the commercial information services market. This approach, which has not yet been adapted in library science, may show some new aspects and lead to new conclusions. This is a literature review type of paper that is not based on empirical research and it has not yet been tested in practice; however, the author believes that it can provide a valuable framework for designing and implementing innovative services in libraries. The presented process is a preliminary proposal that can and should be modified in the future based on further scientific reflection and examples of implementations in libraries. Practical implications The results can be widely used in practice as a framework for designing innovative services in libraries. The paper, based on subject literature, proposes a process of designing innovative information services that can and should be tested in practice. Social implications The paper can help initiate the debate on the need to implement innovative solutions in library services. Originality/value The issue of innovation in library services has not yet been widely discussed in library and information science journals from the perspective proposed by the author. This paper presents a specific approach to library innovation based on the observation of the certain phenomena on the commercial market, which opens the door to new reflections.

Smallholder farmers' market participation and mobile phone‐based market information services in Lilongwe, Malawi

AbstractThere has been growing interest in the development of technology‐based systems to empower farmers in Africa. This paper determines the effect of mobile phone‐based market information services (MIS) on farmers' decisions to participate in maize markets in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study reveals insufficient evidence to suggest that the MIS influence farmers' market participation decisions. Knowledge of prevailing prices may not necessarily guarantee farmers market participation, especially when buyers determine market prices and transaction costs are high. Consequently, farmers with no access to alternative markets fail to improve their marketing outcomes. The findings suggest that channelling government's resources towards improving extension services and increasing farmers' productivity are ideal ways to promote the participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural markets. The findings also underscore the need to integrate radio and mobile phones in agricultural MIS and to provide farmers with information related to agricultural production in addition to market prices. These recommendations could be realized through better coordination of market access initiatives involving smallholder farmers, government departments, NGOs, mobile network operators, and media houses.

Research on Power Trading Platform Based on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Technology

We achieve an integration of the power trading business with new technologies by rationalizing the convergence path of new technologies and transaction services. To realize the personalized customization of electricity market information services and form automated and flexible expansion capabilities, we build a new architecture of cloud-based power trading platform which establishes and applies power market big data resources, improving platform capacity and business application level. The architecture built in the article achieves the decentralization, real-time processing, high concurrency, high availability, easy maintenance, and convenience and efficiency of the power trading platform.

The Contemporary Grade of Marketing of Library Products and Services in M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering: An Investigative Study

Academic Libraries nowadays have to relate all its activities to public and its users very often and keep them updated with the changes and Updation in the Library. In order to attract the users and sustain in this modern ICT world, the user’s complete satisfaction is the ultimatum. We are in a digital world where one need not physically go to the Library or a computer to get information they want. Just a swipe on their smart phone and they have their required information in their finger tips. They just require a device to login and an internet or Wi-Fi connection. That’s it. This study is about the marketing of information products and services among users of M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, Karur. From this research it is found that the marketing of services has been a great challenge with limited budget as well as the emerging ICT tools and technology day by day. The study shows the user behavior, their awareness level, usage, usefulness & the marketing strategies used in the College Library for promoting their services. This paper also suggests that Librarians have to be proactive in marketing their information sources & services with the help of current marketing strategies using ICT which is the need of the hour.

Using fish landing sites and markets information towards quantification of the blue economy to enhance fisheries management

AbstractFisheries management uses important fish market information and information from Communication Technology (ICT) to improve fish trade by identifying inefficiencies, inequity and post‐harvest losses. The current study reports fisheries output using ICT at major landing sites and markets in Kenya and Uganda from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Enhanced Fish Market Information Service (EFMIS) database for 2009 – 2017. Catch assessment survey data validated the use of market data in drawing conclusions. Regional Frame Survey data provided information before EFMIS, enabling comparisons of fish trade costings. The average quantity of fish traded in Kenya depended on seasons of active lake fishing, which occurs in January – March and August – October, while Uganda had an irregular pattern associated with fish trade throughout the year. The quantity of fish traded weekly depended on the average price of fish. Lower sales margins during the EFMIS project showed the merits of information sharing using ICT platforms for efficient and equitable fish trade. Such evaluation of fish market information is useful in fish trade policy formulation and for fisheries management and ecological sustainability in rural and peri‐urban communities.

Features of Legal Regulation of the Information Sphere of Russia

Introduction.The article analyzes the evolution of priority directions and main methods of legal regulation of the information sphere in modern Russia. The main focus is on the specifcs of the regulation of the state information policy in Russia in the new political reality that emerged after 2014. The article explores the basic criteria for the improvement of information legislation with the aim of increasing the effciency of forms and methods of implementation of the communication policy as a management function of the modern state.Materials and methods.Comparative analysis of the legal regulation of the information sphere as one of the main tools of state power in relation to media policy as a management function of the modern state allows conducting a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the modern practice of implementation of state information policy by public authorities and management of the Russian Federation. The article also uses general scientifc and special methods of cognition of legal phenomena and processes in the sphere of Russian information legislation: the method of systemic structural analysis, comparative-legal and formal-logical methods.Results.The formation and improvement of the legal framework for the development of the information society acts as a priority direction of the state information policy. To date, Russia has established and successfully operates an integrated system of national legislation in the feld of information as a separate independent branch of Russian law. The basis of information policy, as well as policy in General, constitute a set of rules of law and mechanisms for their implementation.Discussion and Conclusion.Information legislation is one of the main conditions for the development and implementation of the state information policy. It creates a legal basis for the regulation of the market of information products and services, as well as the development of the entire complex of mass communication, information and communication. The practical implementation of the state information policy in all its functional and temporary aspects provides for the constant development of information legislation as a system of interrelated legal norms based on the constitutional principles of the Federal structure of the Russian state, the separation of powers, the delimitation of the subjects of jurisdiction and authority and the construction of a unifed system of Russian legislation.

Economic Viability of Fish Smoking and Marketing: Evidence from Ibi, Taraba State, Nigeria

This study explored the effects of socio-economic profile of the marketers and determined the economic viability of fish smoking and marketing in Ibi, Taraba State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to illicit response from 80 respondents for the study. Data collection were through structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, marketing margin and net marketing margin estimation procedures among others, were used to determine the values of the profitability measures that infer the significant influential variables economic viability of fish smoking and marketing venture. The frequency distribution of respondents according to: - age, gender, marital status, household size, major occupation, educational level, marketing experience and preservation method adopted were constructed and detailed results presented in section 4. Marketing margin obtained was 23.43%, with a net marketing margin of 13.77%, resulting from a total gross and net revenue of smoked fish sales of N1, 378,889 and N810, 580, respectively. The smoked fish selling price, unsmoked fish purchasing price and total smoked fish cost stood at N5,886,079, N4,507,190 and N5,075,449, respectively. The fish smoking efficiency of 3.06 and smoked fish marketing efficiency of 2.43 indicates that the dealers make a net return of 3.06 times per N1.00 invested in fish smoking which sells 2.43 times faster than unsmoked type. Hence, a clear indication that fish smoking and marketing is economically viable in the area studied. It is recommended that national market development coordinating should be put in place to ensure the adoption of standard weight and measure for fish smoking and marketing in the area; cost saving transportation and smoking service facilities should be sustained by private individuals and corporate groups alike to improve efficiency of venture by dealers; capacity building for agricultural extension officers and enumerators on market information service (MIS) should be intensified by Government. Keywords: Economic viability; Marketing Margin; Net Marketing margin; net return, Fish smoking and marketing. DOI : 10.7176/JMCR/52-06

Use of Library Services and Products through Marketing

Due to development in information technology, the information is being generated at very fast rate and a variety of items are available on a single theme. The need is to popularize them and to sell them among the needed community for their existence in the world. Here the concept of marketing of services came into being, because these are the marketing strategies, which can not only be helpful in marketing them but also in generating revenue for the continuation worldwide. Libraries are service oriented organizations. The foremost role of libraries is to create new ways and techniques to satisfy the needs and wants of users. Marketing starts with the user's what they want to have and ends with the user's getting what they want. Marketing of information products and services is an important tool used to bring out the resources available in the library. It's aim is to obtain the needs of library users, make the information available for the user community. Marketing of library products and services help to achieve the organizational's goals. The present paper throws light on the different concepts associated with marketing. An effort has also been made to highlight the need of marketing in libraries and how marketing takes place in libraries. Which are the professional skills required for marketing is also a part of this paper. Techniques, strategies and principles of marketing are also a major part of this paper. Seven Ps of marketing process and hurdles in marketing the library products are also presented. Explores the way to create a successful market. Highlights the issues and challenges in front of librarians in marketing. The value and need based quality of information products using all technological supports must reach the clientele so as to allow the user community to derive utmost satisfaction from using the products. The paper throws light on the marketing of information products and its trends, issues and challenges in the electronic era.

Intellectual specialization of entrepreneurship as a way of solving social and economic problems

Ukraine lags behind the developed countries in technological and economic spheres, by average income per capita, by renovation of production equipment, etc. Instead, comparatively high level of labour resources’ qualification and intellectual capacity remain to be the competitive advantage. Based on the theory of competitive advantages and current EU smart specialization strategy, it is possible to focus on technology-intensive industries oriented on exports to secure the countries’ sustainable development. The state of innovation activity of enterprises of industry, entrepreneurship sectors and regions is considered. The structure of the types of innovative activities of Ukrainian industrial enterprises for 2010-2017 includes internal and external impacts, such as the purchase of equipment and software, training of employees, etc. Statistical, table, questionnaire, factor analysis methods were used. The comparative analysis provides an innovative index of Ukraine and its 10 components (human resources, attractive research systems, innovation friendly environment, finance and support, firm investments, innovators, linkages, intellectual assets, employment impacts, sales impacts) calculated by EU economic experts according to the methodology The European Innovation Scoreboard. Based on the answers of the managers of small businesses, the bottlenecks of innovation management are grounded: internal (qualifications of managers and specialists), limited financial resources, risk of activities diversification) and external (corruption, formal approach of authorities and institutional infrastructure). The paper proves the reasonability of the state policy of further investment development and stimulation of the IT sector due to its low material resources, proper system of education of specialists, legal support and fiscal policy. The record high growth rate of the information services market and the corresponding high-intellectual cluster of specialists allows predicting the integration of the national industry into the international division of labor from the angle of geopolitical smart specialization.

Project Approach as a Means of Forming the Availability of Bachelors to Innovate Activity in Information Technologies

The article presents the author's interpretation of the structure of availability of bachelors for innovative activity in the field of information technology, reveals the essence of the project approach in its formation. Information technologies have a number of features that affect the innovation policy: the dynamics of the industry; the novelty of the products and services offered, the rapid growth of the information service market; the use of advanced technologies in the field of information technology. One of the main objectives of the educational system in the field of information technology is to ensure the forming of students’ special competencies of innovative activity with the help of various modern pedagogical approaches. Thus, the development of methodical, didactic bases of the organization of project activity in the field of information technologies acquires special urgency.

Spatial-temporal dynamics of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) and other macrophytes and their impact on fisheries in Lake Victoria, Kenya

Abstract Invasive aquatic macrophytes in Lake Victoria including water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) exhibit periodic cyclical patterns of decline and proliferation with attendant ecological and economic impacts. This study aimed to monitor the extent of macrophytes and other invasive weeds on Lake Victoria to establish their impact on fisheries. The study employed a combination of remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques to estimate the coverage of water hyacinth and other invasive macrophytes. Data on fish landings and their respective market values were acquired from the Electronic Fish Market Information Service (EFMIS) database, which is hosted by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). Analysis of consistent temporal satellite data showed that the weeds frequently cover sheltered bays and river mouths. These areas of Winam Gulf had higher coverage (average 5000 ha) of macrophytes than the open waters (

International Cooperation of Public Libraries of Ukraine: Modern State (The Case of Rivne Regional Universal Scientific Library)

The aim of this article is to study the features and primary areas of international cooperation of public libraries of Ukraine at the present stage.Research methodology. The author analyses professional publications, scientific publications on the subject. The author draws on the sites of international organizations.Results. This article provides examples of the primary areas of international cooperation of public libraries: book exchange, international interlibrary loan, international bibliographic cooperation, participation in international projects, as well as exchange of experience through workshops, conferences, personal contacts and publications in the professional press. International cooperation of public libraries promotes solving the library problems, allows realizing joint projects and programs, forming the common informational space. In addition, it contributes to the creation of a new model of a public library that makes it competitive in the market of information services, to keep not only the traditional contingent of readers, but also increase it, expand the circle of friends and social partners. Public libraries become an information center that facilitates access to the information space of the world, ensures the constitutional right of citizens to information.Novelty. An attempt has been made to determine the importance of international cooperation of public libraries of Ukraine at the present stage. The study makes it possible to to characterize the primary areas of international cooperation of libraries of Ukraine.The practical significance. Library professionals and students of this area can find the information useful for further research and use the material for a comprehensive study of the characteristic features of international cooperation in the field of library.Key words: public library, international cooperation, information space, international projects, intercultural communication.

English

The study examines the marketing of information products and services in public libraries in South West, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprises professionals and library officers. Questionnaire was used as means of data collection. The sections consist of A and B. Section A dwells on the socio-economic variables of the respondent, Section B consist on availability of information products and services as well as marketing and promotional strategies adopted by the libraries. One hundred and thirty copies of questionnaires were administered and data analysed. The study reveals that the public libraries in South West, market their information products and services and also shows that lending of materials, user education, school services, referral services are highly available. Quick and long queries, adult literacy programmes, reading list and bibliographies, indexing and abstracting among others were available whereas translation services, rental of premises and CD-ROM services are not available. Findings on promotional strategies for marketing information products and services reveals that majority agreed with display and exhibition as well as creation of conducive environment as the type of promotional strategies adopted in the public library boards studied. On the marketing management strategies adopted, the study reveals that respect to users along with paying attention to users rated highest as the commonest marketing practice among the studied public library boards. Based on the findings, it is concluded that marketing of information products and services by the libraries has a lot to do towards entrenching marketing principles and practices. Key words: Marketing, Information,Library services, Information product.

Use and relevance of European Union crop monitoring and yield forecasts

Since 1993, the JRC has put in operation a crop monitoring and yield forecasting system for Europe, the results of which are published in the JRC MARS Bulletin (currently every month). This paper outlines how the agro-meteorological analyses, country-specific overviews of crop conditions, and crop yield forecasts reported in the Bulletin are used and how these respond to the diverse needs of different types of stakeholders. Stakeholders from more than 32 countries download the JRC MARS Bulletin, in peak-season up to 1500 downloads occur in the first days after publication. The readership of the Bulletin is diverse, coming from governments (e.g. Ministries of Agriculture), private companies (e.g. commodity traders, banking), media, and research and academia. On the list of stakeholders that want to be notified of the release of the Bulletin, roughly 37% originate from business, 35% from research and development, 22% from government, and 6% from the media. The primary user is the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG-AGRI) of the European Commission, which uses the forecasts to quantify the production estimates for crop supply balance sheets and to identify regions with exceptional (mostly weather related) challenges that might require a policy response. The information for wheat, maize and rice is shared through the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) thus contributing to increased global market transparency and better governance of agriculture and food policies. The largest business use is in market information, financial, and consultancy services, followed by commodity trading. Examples of use in media reports as well as online feedback to those, e.g. by farmer's organizations, are also presented. Downloads of the Bulletin peak in the month before harvest at the time when the forecasts can be of most value for stakeholder decision-making.

Public Administration of Information Resources: Organizational and Legal Aspects

This topic is very important in our time, because success in the information age depends on the expansion of the integration of information and communication technologies into society. Processes and changes related to the formation of the information society, of course, dramatically increase the social significance and role of information relations and information activities, which, in turn, causes a significant increase in the scope of legal regulation in this area. That is why this article is devoted to the analysis of management information resources. The article deals with approaches to the definition of state information It was clarified that the specially authorized central executive authority on the organization of special communication and information protection is the Administration of the State Service for Special Communications and Protection of Ukraine. The main tasks and functions of the State Agency for E-Governance of Ukraine which implements policy in the areas of informatization and e-governance were also analyzed. The main directions of the information policy at the present stage of development of the are determined. We believe that this list which is enshrined in the Law of Ukraine On Information should be supplemented to optimize the administrative legislation. The article analyzes the legislative framework for regulation of information resources. The legal framework of this sphere should include the Law of Ukraine On Information, the Law of Ukraine On the National Program of Informatization, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution On Approval of the Strategy for the Development of the Society in Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine On the State Service for Special Communications and Protection of Ukraine, etc. It was concluded that in Ukraine are formulated and legislatively fixed the basic principles of the information policy. Nevertheless it is necessary to promote the formation of the market of information resources, services, information systems and technologies, means of their provision as well as to assist the in the creation and development of an open information society.

Librarian’s Perception on Marketing of Information Resources and Services in Academic Libraries with Special Reference to Amhara Region, Ethiopia

In the present scenario, information and communication technology plays a very important role. Due to the development of technology, internet has brought out some of the opportunities and challenges which provide the effective way of use the library information resources and services. Users can access the required information online irrespective of visiting the place and collecting the information as like ancient days. To improve some of the problems of information and communication technology resulting in underutilization of academic libraries, effort directed to promoting and creating awareness of library services is very important. Library staff can promote the use of the library through other means such as marketing of library services to its users. The role of academic libraries and information centres is to provide necessary information. The objectives of the study were why libraries should market their information resources and services; ways in which libraries market their information resources and services also impacts of marketing information resources and services in the academic Library. The study target population was 120 which comprised of library staff members. The study sample consisted to twenty members of the target group.

Features of the Organization to Strategic Management of Information and Telecommunications

Information and telecommunication services now exist in all sectors of the economy and are characterized by the intensive introduction of new technologies in the social life of a person. Its development and advancement has long gained unprecedented importance for the leaders of media industries and for higher standing bodies engaged in leadership in the areas of communication, information and e-government. Issues of strategic management are of particular importance due to the fact that a significant role is attached to strategic planning and forecasting on the board. In the theory of mass communications, public relations, strategic issues need a deeper understanding in connection with the needs of modern practice. Information services are featured by the same problems as for any other developing industry: there is no clear regulatory framework governing relations between all market participants, there is heterogeneity in the dynamics of the development of telecommunications services in the regions, and a relatively low level of quality management of services produced by the media. The urgency of the problem being developed is also related to the degree of its development. Analysis of the literature on the topic of dissertational work shows that various aspects of strategic management were in the field of view of domestic and foreign scientists. Thus, the relevance of the presented research is due to the lack of effective methods for managing the information services market and the lack of coverage in the literature of mechanisms for optimizing the management of the activities of regional media.