SMEs and E Commerce The Asia Foundation
By sector (Figure 1.8), most companies in telecommunications & IT,
manufacturing, distribution and trade sectors had used the Internet for 2 3 years.
Most companies in hotel and business service sectors had used the Internet for 1
2 years.
Figure 1.8
Number of years using the Internet by sector
1
6
9
5
7
2
Telecom&IT
3
9
6
3
3
5
Hotel&tourism
3
8
9
1
4
5
Trade
5
9
8
5
2
3
Service
3
7
9
2
6
2
Manufacturing
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
No of respondents
<1 yr
1 2 yrs
2 3 yrs
3 4 yrs
4 5 yrs
>5 yrs
4.2.2.2 Driving forces behind using the Internet
Respondents gave various reasons to use the Internet, e.g., gateway to foreign
markets, purchasing foreign products, convenient communication approach,
image improvement, addition to traditional distribution channel, public relations,
etc.
Three driving forces leading most companies to use the Internet (Figure 1.9) can
be concluded as clients contact (62.8%), information search (31.8%), and
correspondence expenditure reduction (17.6%).
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