An exploratory study of Internet adoption by primary wood products manufacturers in the western United States
2002
Vlosky, R.P. | Westbrook, T. | Poku, K.
Use of the Internet as a platform to do business in the forest products industry is well established. Companies can use the Internet for a multitude of activities including purchasing from suppliers, selling to customers, improving logistics, and increasing customer service. This study examined current and potential use of Internet-based technologies to conduct business by solid wood products manufacturers in the western United States. Sixty-one percent of respondents had a website in 2000. Website development was a fairly recent phenomenon, with 65 percent of respondents developing their sites in the 1999-2000 time period. Larger companies developed websites earlier than small companies and spent more money on website development. Highest rated perceived Internet benefits were greater exposure to potential customers, increased access to industry information, and timeliness of information exchange. Respondents did not seem to believe that the Internet can create customer value or improve their competitive position. Only 18 percent used the Internet to sell products (the sales were being conducted primarily using e-mail) and 10 percent said that they would be willing to use a third-party marketplace exchange to sell products on the Internet.
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