Business Use of the Internet in New Zealand:
An Exploratory Study
Rationale
- test media, industry claims
- find out what is happening in New Zealand
The Study
Survey format, covering the following areas:
- Internet "resources" - aware of, currently using,
will be using
- business activities involving the net
- perceived benefits of net use
- reasons for not fully benefiting
- marketing and advertising use
Population
- "companies using the Internet in NZ"
- sample was 754 companies with registered domain names
- self-selection issues
Methodology
- email request for participation
- followed up by post, fax or email copy of questionnaire
- descriptive statistics only
Main Results
Of the 754 email requests:
- 200+ non-deliverable (!)
- 138 replies to request
- 116 filled-in survey forms
Largest response from:
- small companies (<= 50 employees)
- companies with an "information technology focus"
In general, these companies
- used the Internet in more ways than other companies
- claimed more benefits from Internet use
Also of interest:
- marketing and advertising use low (< 25%)
- "customers and suppliers not on-line" main reason for not getting full benefit
- 10% added "problems with Internet Service Provider"
Future research
- follow up on small/large company issues
- develop criteria for rating ISPs
- develop cost-benefit model for business use of Internet
- look at issues of Internet surveys