ICT usage in enterprises, 2000

In 2000, 8 per cent of all enterprises with at least ten employees had turnover from orders received through the Internet. This is an increase from 1999, when approximately 6 per cent of the enterprises had turnover from the Internet. According to the enterprises' plans, the share is expected to rise this year, and will reach 13 per cent during year 2001.

Highest share among hotels and restaurants

The share of enterprises with orders received through the Internet is, as in 1999, highest in the hotel and restaurant industry. Within this industry some 17 per cent of all enterprises had turnover from electronic commerce during 2000. Wholesale is second with 11 per cent. At the opposite end of the scale, we find retail trade with 4 per cent and construction with 5 per cent.

For the enterprises with access to Internet the share with turnover from electronic commerce vary some by enterprise size. In 2000 12 per cent of the enterprises with more than 100 employees had turnover from e-commerce, while the share for enterprises with 10 to 19 employees was at 6 per cent.

Still low turnover shares from Internet

Turnover originating from orders received on the Internet was relatively low compared to total turnover in 2000. For half of the enterprises with Internet commerce, the turnover share amounted to only 1-2 per cent of the enterprises total turnover. For almost 80 per cent of the enterprises with e-commerce in 2000, the e-commerce shares amounted to less than 10 per cent of the enterprises total turnover. A turnover share of 30 per cent or more was reported by only 6 per cent of the enterprises in 2000.

The survey also shows that 16 per cent of the enterprises that had Internet turnover in 2000 also received payment through the Internet. More enterprises expect to use this form of transaction in year 2001, and some 27 per cent plan to receive payment for goods and services through Internet this year.

Improved customer service and flexibility

The survey also asked for factors of importance for the enterprise activities concerning electronic commerce. As in 1999, the most important motivation was to yield better customer service and achieve improved flexibility. 53 per cent of the enterprises that had e-commerce in 2000 state that this factor was of great importance. Opportunities to reach more customers, together with the aim not to loose market shares to other companies already using electronic commerce, were also important factors. 50 and 49 per cent respectively state that these factors were important to the enterprise's e-commerce strategy. Gaining access to new suppliers was reported of importance by only 19 per cent of the enterprises.

Goods not suited for Internet sales the biggest barrier

Among enterprises with no turnover from Internet in 2000, the most important barrier was that the enterprise's goods or services were not suited for Internet sales. Of the enterprises with no Internet sales in 2000, 30 per cent state that this barrier was important. Other barriers are too small customer potential and that the opportunities to yield service to the customer are poorer. 18 and 15 per cent respectively report these barriers as being of great importance for the e-commerce strategy. The barrier least frequently reported is expense due to internal readjustments, 10 per cent report this important.

Access to Internet and the general use of homepages on the Internet by enterprises were also covered in this survey. Results were published in separate articles 8. Mars and 15. Mars 2001. Go to "Previous articles" in the left column to read more about these results.

Tables:

• Table 1 The relative number of Internet turnover among enterprices that have e-commerce. 1998-2001. Per cent of enterprises with e-commerce.
• Table 2 Faktorer med betydning for foretakenes aktiviteter mht. elektronisk handel. Prosent av foretakene med e-handel.
• Table 3 Barriers importance for current and future electronic commerce. Per cent of enterprises without e-commerce.