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Computer‐based fax‐on‐demand systems will answer the phone and guide a caller through voice menu selections. The caller identifies the information desired by pressing the numbers on the touchtone keypad of the phone. The fax‐on‐demand system then delivers the information to the caller through either a one‐call or two‐call/call‐back method. Fax‐on‐demand is often confused with two other forms of fax messaging—fax broadcasting and fax mail. Fax broadcasting is the sending of one document to many locations; fax mail is similar to voice mail except fax messages instead of voice messages are delivered to one or more specified mail boxes. In contrast, fax‐on‐demand can better be characterized as a response application that allows individual callers to use touchtone telephones to access a database and other information, which can then be delivered to the caller's fax machine.

Based on a background study prepared by the Institute for Information Law at the University of Amsterdam for the European Commission, DG XIII‐E/3, Luxemburg. The rapid growth of electronic document delivery services has created a number of complex copyright related problems. Are abstracts and bibliographical data protected? Are electronic storage, transmission and delivery‐on‐demand restricted acts? Do existing copyright limitations (library privileges, reprographic exemptions) apply in a digital environment? These and other copyright related issues are discussed from a primarily European perspective. In conclusion, some legislative and contractual solutions are discussed: European harmonization of copyright exemptions, statutory licensing, collective administration of rights, collective licensing, direct licensing.

The paper aims to develop (1) a comprehensive framework for classifying crowdshipping business models and (2) a taxonomy of currently implemented crowdshipping business models.

The business models of 105 companies offering crowdsourced delivery services are analysed. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis are applied to develop a business model taxonomy.

A detailed crowdsourced delivery business model framework with 74 features is developed. Based on it, six distinct clusters of crowdshipping business models are identified. One cluster stands out as the most appealing to customers based on social media metrics, indicating which type of crowdshipping business models is the most successful.

Detailed investigations of each of the six clusters and of recent crowdshipping business model developments are needed in further research in order to enhance the derived taxonomy.

This paper serves as a best-practices guide for both start-ups and global logistics operators for establishing or further developing their crowdsourced delivery business models.

This paper provides a holistic understanding of the business models applied in the crowdshipping industry and is a valuable contribution to the yet small amount of studies in the crowd logistics field.

One of the tasks of the special librarian is to facilitate current awareness: services are set up to encourage user groups to keep up‐to‐date with developments in their own and related subject areas. The librarian advocates current awareness as an essential prerequisite for members of that user group to remain effective practitioners, researchers or teachers within their subject area. The librarian encourages and advocates because unfortunately some of those practitioners, researchers and teachers are either unconvinced of the need for current awareness or haven't the time/are not interested/cannot be bothered.

The purpose of this paper is to explore how two mega-trends, e-commerce and urbanization, have the potential to reshape logistics practices around the world. Primary focus is on how Chinese business practices and logistics innovations are increasingly relevant to the USA and other western countries.

Experience-based thought piece focusing on specific Chinese logistics innovations centering on speed, adaptability and new business models.

The Chinese economy has played a key role in providing support and enabling logistics innovations in China. Key enablers include the ubiquitous connectivity and applications availability, the dynamic low-cost labor environment and government support for the Chinese logistics industry.

This study suggests new areas for research.

This study provides insights into the potential value associated with adopting innovative Chinese logistics practices.

This study provides suggested areas of attention to help focus on logistics operations on key societal trends.

Our paper provides insights into the potential value associated with adopting innovative Chinese logistics practices. We believe this represents a significant contribution as little coverage of the topics have been noted to date in leading logistics/supply chain journals.

Asserts that SMEs are increasingly viewed as the major source of jobs within the UK, but that there is considerable evidence that many fail to grow. Focuses on the development of a particular SME, Pine Cabin, and seeks to highlight the set of factors (mainly internal) which have enabled it to grow. These internal factors are probed and conclusions reached. The research objectives are: (1) how significant was Pine Cabin’s growth?; (2) what were the major contributory factors; and (3) what lessons do theoretical perspectives provide? Concludes that marketing planning, the correct marketing mix, the firm’s strategic approach and, in particular, value chain management have lead to the firm’s financial success.

Presents a report from the conference Preserving America’s Printed Resources: The Roles of Repositories, Depositories, and Collections of Record, organized by the Center for Research Libraries. This was a two‐part event held in Chicago, 21‐22 July 2003, and this report summarizes the second part, which was an extended discussion on the theme of repositories and collections of record, asking “How can libraries work together to optimize management of the nation’s knowledge resources in printed form?” The intended outcome of the discussion was to be an agenda consisting of realistic near‐ and long‐term national‐level actions, and identifying the appropriate participants in those activities and the roles those participants might play.

The paper attempts to provide an outline account of the development and context of scientific and technical communication during the twentieth century. The main channels and forms of communication are reviewed, and their changing contributions to the overall pattern of information flow. The ever‐increasing volume and diversity of scientific and technical information are emphasised. The paper concludes with some reflections on what may be learnt from this history.

In 2001, North Lanarkshire Libraries and Information Service secured funding to deliver on‐line learning and support through a Community Learning Hub to the Motherwell North Social Inclusion Partnership area containing some of the most socially excluded communities in North Lanarkshire. The project centred on the development of an e‐learning web site offering learning information, support, and materials and included a laptop‐lending facility available to residents. The decision to develop e‐learning services was based around a number of factors prevalent in North Lanarkshire including poor educational attainment; skills gaps identified by employers in the local labour force, particularly in the areas of ICT and basic computing; high unemployment and a number of other obstacles to learning including transport difficulties, child care issues and disability. In addition, developments in new technology including the spread of the home ownership of computers, and the increased availability and uptake of broadband suggested thate‐learning facilities would attract a viable client base. The project would also fit with the People's Network initiative that has connected all UK public libraries to the internet.

This paper focusses on on-demand food delivery (ODFD), i.e. the delivery of freshly prepared meals to customers' homes, enabled by the use of online platforms. In ODFD, a key process is represented by last-mile deliveries (LMDs): they directly affect customers (the delivery price influences their purchase intention), riders (the compensation drives their willingness to perform deliveries) and platforms (deliveries are very expensive). In this context, this work aims to investigate the economic performances of ODFD LMDs.

This study adopts a multi-method threefold process. First, it develops a model that – after the generation of customers' demand and the assignment of deliveries to available riders – identifies incomes and costs faced by an ODFD operator. Second, the model is applied to a base case in Milan (Italy). Third, sensitivity analyses are performed (on daily demand and riders' salary).

The analyses allow – besides the identification of significant values associated to ODFD profitability – to draw general insights about delivery price (e.g. free delivery is not economically sustainable), daily demand (e.g. greater demand values do not only improve positive results but also worsen negative ones) and fixed/variable wage mix (e.g. increasing the variable wage enhances the profitability for platforms).

On the academic side, this word enhances extant literature about ODFD, proposing a model – with multidisciplinary implications – to strategically investigate profitability conditions of LMDs. On the managerial side, it provides support for (logistics/marketing) ODFD practitioners since it allows to evaluate the potential impact of significant decisions on profitability.