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Title:
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A COMPARISON OF CHANGING PRACTICES IN VERY SMALL BUSINESSES |
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Author(s):
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A Mccready , S Kaine , J Duncan |
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ISBN:
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972-8939-03-5 |
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Editors:
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Pedro Isaías, Piet Kommers and Maggie McPherson |
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Year:
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2005 |
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Edition:
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Single |
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Keywords:
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Small businesses, limited online practices, comparison. |
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Type:
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Full Paper |
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First Page:
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219 |
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Last Page:
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225 |
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Language:
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English |
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Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload 
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Paper Abstract:
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Small businesses form the majority of businesses in the UK and other European countries and it is therefore important that the extent of their online activity is identified and possibly developed. To acquire a deeper understanding of the changes taking place, a qualitative investigation of online processes in two very small organisations in different industries (property letting and manufacturing) in the UK is detailed by means of semi-structured interviews with the owner/managers. In these organisations the use of online activity is selective. Both organisations have benefited from improved communication and promotion of products on their websites, but in the manufacturing industry the nature of the industry, product and processes restrict online opportunities. Lack of technological expertise is a concern, but this is reduced by having websites hosted by external companies and relying on the banks security system for financial transactions. Full e-commerce transactions are not anticipated because perceived benefits do not outweigh perceived costs. For the future, analysis of the needs of the organisation in its particular context is needed if further changes in practices are to take place and benefits achieved. |
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