Transformations  in
Business & Economics

The Consumption of Information Products: Economic Values and the Information Society
Elina Gaile-Sarkane

ABSTRACT. This paper analyses current situation in consumption of information products in Latvia, Baltic States as well as in Europe and prescribe its further usage. Author gives regional situation analyses and offers many definitions for the information market and it components.

This research aims at:

1. investigations about the information market and information products;
2. concepts of the information market and their correlation;
3. modelling of development of the information market of Latvia;
4. modelling of information consumption in the further information society;
5. offering new methods of economical evaluation of information resources, information products, approbation of these methods.

This research helps to understand the particularities of information resources, information market, its structure and economic role in the national economy. The augmentation of the information market stimulates the development of new products and services, promotes the development of education and science, and furthers the general development.

The analysis of the information market of Latvia reveals that its turnover is more than 600 million Lats per year (according to proportion in GNP). Research findings disclosed that it is possible to introduce new methods of evaluation of the information product consumption. Also the process of informatization is essential for evolution of the national economy and business. Information has become not only a resource, but also a communication tool in a dialogue among countries, in informing society, in solving political and economic problems.

KEYWORDS: information society, information market, information product, economic values, Latvia.

JEL classification: L86, P2.