Title:	MICRO FIRMS IN NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE LOSING OUT ON E-BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE – LESSONS FOR EU SMALL BUSINESS
Author(s):	Jane P. Pallister , Philip J. Weston , Anthony S. Atkins
ISBN:	972-98947-8-7
Editors:	Nitya Karmakar and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2004
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Micro Business, E-Business, Global Economy, Information Communication Technology ( ICT), North Staffordshire Small Businesses, Web Engineering.
Type:	Oral Presentation - 20 minutes
First Page:	442
Last Page:	450
Language:	English
Cover:
Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	The UK Government is committed to supporting business communities in developing e-business solutions and in the case of micro-businesses the most common solution is the development of a web presence. There are some 3.6 million micro businesses operating in the UK, and the paper outlines research undertaken with micro-businesses with websites (micro businesses being defined as having less than 10 employees) in North Staffordshire, which accounts for the highest number of employees in this business category in the UK labour market. The paper outlines results from a probability survey based on 579 micro businesses in North Staffordshire. The survey of North Staffordshire micro-businesses indicated that more than half were unaware of any Government funding and support to assist them; and that independent and government-accredited support services and e-business solutions providers and were not working to increase micro businesses knowledge of the appropriate online business model suitable for their organisation; or assisting with the content and legal requirements. UK legislation now requires web sites to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and a Disability Rights Commission survey found that 81% of websites failed to meet even the basic accessibility requirements. The DRC found that badly designed sites currently restrict access of 9.6 million potential UK clients with a disability, and this is particularly pertinent for micro companies, which may not be aware or geared up for these changes. In addition, in a global economy, the value of an effective e-business tool is vital when competing. However only 2.5% of businesses in the survey were using Information Communication Technologies (ICT) to provide integration of business processes within their organisation, with the remainder adopting the most basic website model available and not updating it. The paper outlines key findings of a recent study indicating that the prime mover in developing a web presence is the business client, and their lack of knowledge and appropriate e-business education resulted, in many cases, in ineffective business models and diminished functionality. In consequence, many micro business have a website that is wholly ineffective and has brought little value to the business.
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