Small and mid-sized businesses and Internet use: unrealized potential?

The findings of a study by Auger and Gallaugher (1997), in addition to suppositions and anecdotal evidence provided in a number of articles, suggest that there may be key areas of difference as well as similarities in Internet usage patterns among small and mid-sized businesses. Since large businesses are both potential customers of and suppliers to small to mid-sized businesses, it is important to understand their Internet usage patterns as well. The study was designed as a preliminary examination contrasting such usage among large and small and mid-sized owner-operated firms. Study findings suggest mid-sized businesses may be at a competitive disadvantage in their current operational use of the Internet. Small businesses in the study were more likely than mid-sized or large firms to have a home page and to reveal computer technology programs as potential Internet services needed to improve current operations. Future research must continue to examine the role the Internet can play in allowing small and mid-sized businesses to be more competitive in today's technology based global environment.