The impact of marginalization on entrepreneurs’ online presence and firm performance

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study relies upon interviews and surveys of managers and/or owners of SMEs. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, the authors tested an integrated model of the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance. Findings Findings indicate that marginalization enhances the risk perceptions entrepreneurs assign to internet use. This enhanced risk perception then limits the extent to which an entrepreneur responds to online customer feedback, which has implications for the SME’s relationship and reputation management efforts with buyers, ultimately impacting the enterprise’s performance. Originality/value This study sheds light on the overlooked phenomena of marginalization and internet avoidance among entrepreneurs. The findings provide insight for entrepreneurs on the deleterious consequences associated with lacking an online presence.

Challenges to Formality from Formal Firms Behaving Informally: Evidence from Central America

This research explores the competitive environment for urban formal sector firms competing against peer formal sector firms behaving informally in Central America. Explored is the upper bound of the formal-informal continuum in a regional economic environment of persistent and widespread economic informality where formal firms may employ informal tactics to gain competitive advantage versus their formal competitors. The 2010 World Bank Enterprise Surveys form the basis for empirical analyses. The results suggest formal firms utilizing informal practices is widespread and is influenced by firm maturity, firm location, industry sector, firm legal status, firm organization, ownership composition, regulatory environment, international quality certification, web presence, entry into global markets, and firm size.

Evaluating the web presence of voluntary sector organizations: an assessment of Canadian web sites

In recent years, considerable attention in Canada has been focused on strengthening relationships between the voluntary sector, government and industry. Information technology is an important tool for the sector, but systems are often difficult and costly to purchase and maintain—particularly for small- and medium- sized groups. Unlike e-business and the private sector, little attention has been paid to how the Internet can be used in the voluntary sector. This article addresses three specific research questions: 1) How are national Canadian voluntary sector organizations using Web sites? 2) How well-designed are these Web sites in terms of usability and aesthetics and 3) How can Canadian voluntary organizations improve their Web sites to meet organizational objectives? Some 184 English language, national Canadian voluntary organizations' Web sites were rated, using a standardized tool to assess organizational objectives and to evaluate functionality, navigation and aesthetics. These sites currently offer limited functionality, and many are not well-designed. The article draws lessons from information technology theory and practice to demonstrate how the functionality and design of voluntary sector Web sites (in Canada and elsewhere) can be improved, to better support organizational objectives and to reduce the “digital divide” between the profit and nonprofit sectors.

Evaluating the web presence of voluntary sector organizations: an assessment of Canadian web sites

In recent years, considerable attention in Canada has been focused on strengthening relationships between the voluntary sector, government and industry. Information technology is an important tool for the sector, but systems are often difficult and costly to purchase and maintain—particularly for small- and medium- sized groups. Unlike e-business and the private sector, little attention has been paid to how the Internet can be used in the voluntary sector. This article addresses three specific research questions: 1) How are national Canadian voluntary sector organizations using Web sites? 2) How well-designed are these Web sites in terms of usability and aesthetics and 3) How can Canadian voluntary organizations improve their Web sites to meet organizational objectives? Some 184 English language, national Canadian voluntary organizations' Web sites were rated, using a standardized tool to assess organizational objectives and to evaluate functionality, navigation and aesthetics. These sites currently offer limited functionality, and many are not well-designed. The article draws lessons from information technology theory and practice to demonstrate how the functionality and design of voluntary sector Web sites (in Canada and elsewhere) can be improved, to better support organizational objectives and to reduce the “digital divide” between the profit and nonprofit sectors.

Pengembangan Website Desa Dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Pelayanan Publik di Desa Bona, Gianyar

The poor quality of public services in Indonesia must be addressed by the government. One of the government's efforts to improve the quality of public services is to take advantage of advances in information technology in the process of governance. This is known as e-government or electronic or internet-based government administration. The process of implementing e-government goes through several stages, namely presence (web presence), interaction (interaction), transactions (transactions), and transformation (transformation). This study aims to determine how the implementation of e-government through the provision and operation of village websites can improve the quality of public services in Bona Village. This research is a qualitative-descriptive type of research that describes and explains the results of research based on relevant data collected through observation and literature study. The analysis of the research data used the Miles and Huberman model which included the initial data collection stage, the data reduction stage, the data presentation stage, and then the conclusion drawing stage. The results of this study are the application of e-government is carried out through the provision and operation of village websites as a means of public services that are easy, practical, and efficient. There are several services related to village administration including writing business letters, complaint reports, writing letters for other purposes, and essential telephone services. These services can be accessed by the village community easily and through a mechanism or procedure that is not complicated, so that the community feels satisfied with the public services they get. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the application of e-government through the provision and operation of village websites that provide easy and practical public services can improve the quality of public services in Bona Village. Through the application of e-government, the implementation of village government can be carried out effectively, efficiently, transparently and accountably.

An Assessment of Scholarly Contributions and Web Visibility among Scientists of CSIR-Building and Road Research Institute, Ghana

The introduction of the internet has revolutionized the dissemination and assessment of research outputs with renewed emphasis on the impact of scholarly publications. The purpose of this study was to measure scholarly presence and citation impact of research scientists of the Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI) on the internet. Bibliometrics was employed as a quantitative research method for this study using Google Scholar. The results showed that majority (77.5%) of scientists had at least one scholarly reference on the internet. It also found that, almost all (96.5%) scientists who had scholarly works online showed affiliation to the CSIR-BRRI. Again, it was observed that most mentions/hits were journal publications (59%) followed by thesis (35%). However, the study found that there was a weak positive relationship between number of journal articles and citations online, a clear indication that a web presence does not automatically reflect the usefulness of a scholarly output. It is recommended that scientists identify and research into globally relevant topics and also publish in reputable journals to enhance their visibility.

Evaluasi Tingkat Kematangan e-Government Pada Partisipasi Masyarakat dan Pelayanan Publik Menerapkan Framework Gartner

E-government as part of internet products has become a topic of discussion in internet and mass media discussions and is popular after being linked to the regional autonomy policy of districts / cities in Indonesia. However, there are still many government information systems that are developed and implemented that do not function optimally at both the regional and central government levels. Measuring the level of E-government maturity is needed to determine the extent to which the successful application of E-government is. The purpose of the E-government maturity assessment is to provide basic data, advanced data, and all that is necessary for the development of an E-government strategy. Gartner is one of the models used to measure the maturity level of e-government. Gartner's model suggests four critical phases of the evolution of e-government, namely: web presence, interaction, transactions, and transformation. The gartner model is used to measure the maturity level in Sukoharjo district. The research methodology used a questionnaire and the calculation used the average score for each dimension. To determine the relationship between dimensions and criteria, the PLS (Partial Least Square) method is used. Research has proven that the maturity level of E-government is 4.06 (predictable process). The dimensions of transformation and usability affect community participation using e-government in Sukoharjo district.

An Extensive Discussion on Transition of Libraries

The library and information services have witnessed transition due to conceptual, technological and users' needs. The recent developments in the educational organizations and the users' needs have found few technological factors to consider changing trends. The chapter has discussed various aspects such as services, their composition, alterations and role in library's position in the academic community. The library staff and gradual developments have been discussed along with the infrastructural strengths in library. The facets such as educating the users through the information literacy and metaliteracy; Electronic Information Resources Collection, Building and Management and Creation of Web presence among Library Users are highlighted. Digital Information Services and waving the freshness of innovation; Creating Awareness by being among the users and enhancing learning and need of “Innovation and serving the users at individual level” have been discussed in the context of role in research support.