| October 26, 2001 - A new study conducted at the C.W. Post
Campus of Long Island University is shedding light on the positive
and negative impact of computer technology and the Internet
on Long Island organizations and businesses. Survey results
indicate that nearly half of the respondents have used computer
technology for more than 10 years but that surprisingly, the
number one use of the Internet by Long Island businesses was
not selling, buying, advertising or customer service. The most
prevalent form of Internet usage by L.I. businesses was characterized
as "Gathering Information about the Marketplace" including
competitive intelligence.
The survey, titled the "2000-2001: Long Island Internet
Impact Study," analyzed the history of Long Island
companies' usage of technology, the impact of Internet usage
on their expenses and revenue, and the various uses of the
Internet and intranets for purchasing, marketing, recruitment,
and internal communications.
Questions focused on technology usage as well as how company
websites are created, if they provide secure transactions,
the type of equipment used, revenue coming from the Internet,
and anticipated revenue. The study also details the tasks
for which the Internet is used, its impact on internal and
external functions, and the importance of e-commerce to the
company's future. Highlights include:
- Nearly 61% of L.I. businesses have a web site up and
running; another 12% have one in development.
- Nearly 40% of the respondents have a site that provides
for secure transactions and another 11% have this ability
in development.
- Almost 42% of businesses responding still use typewriters.
- Less than 2% of LI businesses reported using neither
computers nor typewriters.
- 62% of respondents buy products or services
via the Internet (and another 23% soon will).
- Only 30% of respondents use the Internet to sell
products or services, but another 47% plan to do so sometime
in the future.
The principal researcher of the study is Maureen Mackenzie,
a graduate student at C.W. Post who is pursuing a Ph.D. in
Information Studies with a major in Management, through the
university's Palmer School of Library and Information Science.
Surveys were sent to 10,000 businesses, the majority of which
represented professional, scientific, consulting, and technical
services. Other respondents included members of the retail
trade, manufacturers, construction, health care, media telecommunications,
and educational services. CEOs, CFO, CIOs or Sales VPs completed
75 percent of the surveys.
"Ultimately," Mackenzie concludes, "the Internet
has been, and will continue to be, a driving force in changing
the way business is conducted here on Long Island."
Mackenzie was assisted by Mitch Tobol of the Tobol Group,
who was involved in the survey process and directed production
of the final report. Additional support came from co-sponsors
Magill Associates - a staffing services company located in
Levittown, NY - and the accounting firm of Gettry Marcus Stern
& Lehrer (GMSL), with offices in Manhattan and on Long
Island.
Tobol, who heads up the Port Washington-based The Tobol Group
- a company specializing in marketing, advertising and branding
- added, "I am very pleased with the information generated
by this landmark study. I believe that it will assist companies
on Long Island to make decisions regarding their usage of
the Internet as a business tool. We hope to make this study
an annual event."
"This survey certainly helps us advise clients and provides
a basis for establishing benchmarks," said Mark Warshavksy
from GMSL. Adds Joel Hamroff, owner of Magill Associates,
"We are very proud to be a sponsor of this landmark study.
It has shed some light on the complexities surrounding businesses
usage of the Internet."
For additional information or a copy of the study, call the
C.W. Post Public Relations Office at:
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