This article is about a term used in economics. For other uses, see service (disambiguation).

In economics and marketing, a service is the non-material equivalent of a good. Service provision has been defined as an economic activity that does not result in ownership, and this is what differentiates it from providing physical goods. It is claimed to be a process that creates benefits by facilitating either a change in customers, a change in their physical possessions, or a change in their intangible assets.

By supplying some level of skill, ingenuity, and experience, providers of a service participate in an economy without the restrictions of carrying stock (inventory) or the need to concern themselves with bulky raw materials. On the other hand, their investment in expertise does require marketing and upgrading in the face of competition which has equally few physical restrictions.

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washingtonpost.com - Struggling Airlines

Delta, NWA shareholders approve combination
JOSHUA FREED and HARRY R. WEBER Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:00:49 -0400
-- Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. shareholders gave the go-ahead Thursday to a combination that would create the world's biggest carrier, deciding that in their volatile industry they like their chances better together than on their own.
Alitalia official: time running out for bailout
ALESSANDRA RIZZO Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:55:52 -0400
ROME -- Alitalia's bankruptcy administrator on Saturday warned unions opposed to a rescue plan that time was running out for saving the Italian carrier, as flights were at risk of cancellation for lack of fuel and some workers would be laid off soon.
Investors walk out of rescue plan talks
ALESSANDRA RIZZO and COLLEEN BARRY Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:20:26 -0400
ROME -- It may indeed take papal prayers to save Alitalia after Italian investors tapped to take over the bankrupt national carrier walked away from talks with unions on Friday.
More Frustrated Fliers Taking to the Rails
Sholnn Freeman Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Jada Golden stood in the waiting lounge at Union Station, explaining why Amtrak is a better way to travel than an airline.
Struggling to Stay Aloft
Sholnn Freeman Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400
LYNCHBURG, Va. -- American cities have long viewed a thriving commercial airport as a source of civic pride, a way to attract businesses and jobs, a selling point promising an easy connection to the outside world. Any community vibrant enough to support a respectable airport, the thinking goes, i...
Air Travel Failings Exposed Again by Weekend Storms
Sholnn Freeman Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The line of thunderstorms stretching from Albany to Washington over the weekend showed once again how broken the nation's air system is, according to travelers and activists.

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