Computer technology adoption by small apparel retailers: A network perspective
Date
1999
Authors
Langreck, Bonita Marette
Major Professor
Advisor
Miller, Nancy J.
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study investigates present and planned future usage of computers and the Internet by small apparel retailers. Other factors investigated include: network involvement, innovativeness, and consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence, and these factors' relationship to computer adoption. Members of two different apparel retail networks served as respondents for the questionnaire. Accounting and word processing programs were the software applications used most frequently by the respondents, while Internet information searching and establishment of a business web site were of little importance. There was no significant correlation between innovativeness of the respondents and their level of computerization. There was also no correlation between the respondents' involvement in the network and the importance they placed on the network as an information source.
Computer consultants were rated significantly higher than all other sources of information regarding computer technology. Consumers with a higher susceptibility normative influences were more likely to depend on the network for information regarding computer technology. There was a significant positive correlation between susceptibility to informational influences and the importance placed on all computer support sources; there was also a significant positive correlation between informational influences and network involvement.
Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
thesis