to identify and develop appropriate policies andprogrammes for national, regional and <strong>in</strong>dustryeconomic development. Further, this type ofevidence of current <strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> practices is used to assistwith <strong>in</strong>ternational benchmark<strong>in</strong>g of the <strong>New</strong><strong>Zealand</strong> economy.F<strong>in</strong>ally, the question posed <strong>in</strong> the title of the articleis considered: are we ready for the digital economy?From the evidence collected on <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>companies and <strong>in</strong>dustries, the answer appears to bean emphatic yes! However, both the descriptivestatistics from the e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> surveys and the NetRead<strong>in</strong>ess capabilities assessment signal that some<strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> companies and some <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong><strong>in</strong>dustries are more ready than others to leveragenew technologies <strong>in</strong> their <strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> processes andactivities. Look<strong>in</strong>g forward, the ubiquitous challengefor managers will be to cont<strong>in</strong>ue to use ICTseffectively and efficiently to improve theperformance of their organisations.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe E-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> Adoption and ImplementationSurvey research was supported <strong>by</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>gfrom the Foundation for Research, Scienceand Technology (UOWX0016) and theUniversity of Waikato Management School.The Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> Industriesresearch was funded <strong>by</strong> the Competition andEnterprise Branch of the M<strong>in</strong>istry of EconomicDevelopment; support and advice was alsoprovided for this project <strong>by</strong> John Sifonis, CiscoSystems.REFERENCESACNielsen (2001). Electronic Commerce <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>: A survey ofelectronic traders [76 pages]. Retrieved August 21, <strong>2002</strong>, from the worldwideweb: http://nzecommerce.co.nzAsia Pacific Economic Co-operation (<strong>2000</strong>). E-Commerce read<strong>in</strong>essassessment guide. Version 5.0 [35 pages]. Retrieved January 30, <strong>2002</strong>, fromthe worldwide web: http://www.ecommerce.gov/apecBRC Market<strong>in</strong>g and Social Research, (<strong>2002</strong>). E-commerce survey results,May <strong>2002</strong>.BRC Market<strong>in</strong>g and Social Research, (<strong>2000</strong>). A survey of <strong>in</strong>ternet use and e-commerce, September <strong>2000</strong>.<strong>Clark</strong>, D.N. (2001). Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustries, empirical results,2001. University of Waikato Management School Monograph, ISBN 0-909013-39-X, 62p.<strong>Clark</strong>, D.N. (<strong>2002</strong>). Gett<strong>in</strong>g ready for the digital economy: Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong><strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustries. Strategic Change. 11(4), 195-203.<strong>Clark</strong>, D.N., Bowden, S., & Corner, P. (<strong>2002</strong>). Adoption and implementation ofe-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>: Comparative empirical results, 2001 and <strong>2002</strong>.University of Waikato Management School Research Report, <strong>2002</strong>-1, 29p.<strong>Clark</strong>, D.N., Bowden, S., Corner, P., Gibb, J., Kear<strong>in</strong>s, K., & Pavlovich, K.(2001). Adoption and implementation of e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>: Empiricalresults, 2001. University of Waikato Management School Research Report,2001-1, 21p.EIU, Economist Intelligence Unit (2001). The Economist Intelligence Unit/Pyramid Research E-Read<strong>in</strong>ess rank<strong>in</strong>gs. Retrieved January 30, <strong>2002</strong>, fromthe worldwide web: http://www.e<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong>forum.comHartman A., Sifonis J., & Kador, J. (<strong>2000</strong>). Net Ready: Strategies for success<strong>in</strong> the E-conomy. <strong>New</strong> York: McGraw-Hill.M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic Development (MED (<strong>2000</strong>). Electronic Commerce <strong>in</strong><strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>: A survey of <strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> on the <strong>in</strong>ternet, Well<strong>in</strong>gton: InformationTechnology Policy Group, Competition and Enterprise Branch, MED.Statistics <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> (<strong>2002</strong>a). Bus<strong>in</strong>ess practices survey (2001). RetrievedAugust 22, <strong>2002</strong> from the worldwide web: http://www.stats.govt.nzStatistics <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> (<strong>2002</strong>b). Information technology <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>, 2001.Retrieved August 22, <strong>2002</strong> from the worldwide web: http://www.stats.govt.nzTurban, L.E., Lee, J., K<strong>in</strong>g, D., & Chung, H.M. (<strong>2000</strong>). Foundations of ElectronicCommerce: Electronic Commerce a managerial perspective. <strong>New</strong> Jersey:Prentice Hall International.Wetenhall, P., Sutherland, G., & Boven, R. (<strong>2000</strong>). After the land grab: B2BE-Commerce <strong>in</strong> Australia and <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>. Sydney: Boston Consult<strong>in</strong>g Group.<strong>Delwyn</strong> <strong>Clark</strong>EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESEARCHWaikato Management SchoolE-mail: dnclark@mngt.waikato.ac.nz<strong>Stephen</strong> BowdenLECTURERDepartment of Strategic Managementand LeadershipWaikato Management SchoolE-mail: sbowden@mngt.waikato.ac.nzPatricia CornerSENIOR LECTURERDepartment of Strategic Managementand LeadershipWaikato Management SchoolE-mail: pcorner@mngt.waikato.ac.nzUNIVERSITY OF AUCKLANDBus<strong>in</strong>ess ReviewVolume 5 Number 2 200312
APPENDIX 1: e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> surveys, <strong>2000</strong>-<strong>2002</strong>Table 1 lists seven major surveys conducted <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> s<strong>in</strong>ce July <strong>2000</strong> on the uptake and impacts of <strong>in</strong>formationtechnology, e-commerce and/or e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong>. Each survey was designed to collect specific data and achieve specificobjectives. As the surveys have different sampl<strong>in</strong>g methodologies, term<strong>in</strong>ology and content, most of the majorf<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs are not directly comparable.TABLE 1Overview of <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> surveys, <strong>2000</strong>-<strong>2002</strong>E-Commerce &Internet UseE-Bus<strong>in</strong>essAdoption &Implementation,2001Bus<strong>in</strong>essPracticesSurvey, <strong>2000</strong>Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>NZ Industries,2001ElectronicTraders <strong>in</strong> NZ,2001E-Bus<strong>in</strong>essAdoption &Implementation,<strong>2002</strong>E-CommerceSurvey <strong>2002</strong>Code NameMED-BRC-00FRST-UOW-0BPS-STATS-01MED-NET-01IRD-MED-01FRST-UOW-02MED-BRC-02ResearchproviderResearchsponsorPopulationSampl<strong>in</strong>g frameBRC Market<strong>in</strong>g &Social ResearchMEDPrivate-sectorenterprisesUBD databaseUniv of WaikatoMngt SchoolFRST, UOWNZ-basedorganisationsKompassdatabaseStatistics NZMED, MoRST,Stats NZPrivate-sectorenterprisesBus<strong>in</strong>ess FrameStats NZUniv of WaikatoMngt SchoolMEDEight <strong>in</strong>dustriesIndustryassociationsACNielsenIRD/MEDElectronictradersWebsite co’scompiled frommultiple sourcesUniv of WaikatoMngt SchoolFRST, UOWNZ-basedorganisationsKompassdatabaseBRC Market<strong>in</strong>g &Social ResearchMEDPrivate-sector<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong>esAtlantislistbrokersRespondentsSampl<strong>in</strong>gCEO/Manag<strong>in</strong>gDir or IT/Comp.MgrStratification (forlarge companies)CEO, Gen Mgr,Manag<strong>in</strong>g Dir,Senior PartnerStratification <strong>by</strong>size (10+employees)General MgrsStratification <strong>by</strong>ANZSIC & sizeFTE 6+, $30,000+ GST turnoverSenior ExecutivesRandomsampl<strong>in</strong>g frommembership lists(500 each)CEO or Gen MgrWebsite co’sscreened foractivity &participationCEO, Gen Mgr,Manag<strong>in</strong>g Dir,Senior PartnerStratification <strong>by</strong>sizeCEO/Manag<strong>in</strong>gDir or IT/ Comp.MgrStratification <strong>by</strong>size (FTE 6+)Survey typePhoneMail – 3 phasesMail – compulsoryStats Act 1975Mail – 2 phasesPhone screen;mail surveyMail – 3 phasesPhoneNo. questions21468834264826No. usable responses50612292756103480010571008Response rate61%20.9%81.6% (70+%/stratum)23.9%50%19.2%48%Date of datacollection25-30 Aug, <strong>2000</strong>Dec <strong>2000</strong>-Feb 2001Jun 2001May-Jun 200114-29 Jun 2001;Jul 2001Jan-Mar <strong>2002</strong>Apr-May <strong>2002</strong>Date of reportSep, <strong>2000</strong>Apr, 2001Prelim, 30 Jan<strong>2002</strong>; IT report,May <strong>2002</strong>Aug 2001Jul 2001May <strong>2002</strong>May <strong>2002</strong>Notes: MED M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic Development FRST Foundation for Research, Science & TechnologyIRD Inland Revenue Department MoRST M<strong>in</strong>istry of Research, Science & TechnologyUOW University of Waikato.APPENDIX 2Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess categoriesNet LeaderNetVisionaryNet SavvyNet AwareNet AgnosticNET READINESS SCORES0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100Net Visionary This enterprise displays best-of-breed Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess. Its e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> <strong>in</strong>itiatives should be flourish<strong>in</strong>gas all essential components (leadership, governance, competencies and technology) are <strong>in</strong> place.Net Leader The level of Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess here is impressive, but some important pieces are miss<strong>in</strong>g.Net Savvy This organisation displays a higher-than-average level of awareness of Net Read<strong>in</strong>ess, but many ofthe foundations are miss<strong>in</strong>g.Net Aware This organisation is aware of the net, but is not net ready. Major work is required to develop thefoundations for successful e-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> efforts.Net Agnostic E-<strong>bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> is far from a concern for this organisation. Efforts will likely be fruitless, as understand<strong>in</strong>gof the impact of the net is lack<strong>in</strong>g. SOURCE: HARTMAN, SIFONIS & KADOR (<strong>2000</strong>).13