The Challenge of eAdoption in the East Midlands

East Midlands Small Business eAdoption Survey 2006

The Challenge of e-Adoption in the East Midlands Survey 2006 is the fourth in a series of reports that reviews the uptake and usage of ICT by the region’s estimated SME (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises) population. Reflecting the imperative for the region to sustain and position itself as one of Europe’s top destinations the survey also gives insight into levels of ICT integration and likely future e-adoption.

Across the region the deployment of Internet based technologies has increased, with a result that where businesses have adopted they feel more confident and optimistic about their future. For SMEs that use computers some 90% access the Internet via a broadband connection and for those that already sell online almost 60% expect their online sales to increase over the next 12-18months.

Recognising ICT as an enabler for increasing productivity the report goes into some detail about how businesses have integrated e-business applications and processes into the running of their business. It is encouraging to see that for SMEs who have utilised e-business techniques that significant improvements have been made in achieving business efficiencies, improving marketing, reducing costs, increasing turnover and profitability. Businesses must be encouraged to progress their e-adoption and view its integration as an integral part of its overall business plan.
The above findings are good news indeed for our region but the report also highlights a significant number of SMEs and in particular micro businesses that are either not using computers at all in their business or have relatively low levels of e-adoption. The report indicates that where adoption has not taken place this is due to businesses not understanding the relevance of ICT to their business and or not recognising the potential benefits that adoption may bring to their business performance.

With our reliance on computers growing year on year market forces will push SMEs to adopt online technologies and e-business applications; those that are unwilling or unable to react to customer demand will fail. For the public and private sectors who have an interest in promoting ICT it is clear that support and resource will need to be targeted to those groups of SMEs most likely to achieve optimum levels of e-adoption to maximum effect.
I hope you find this report of interest and of assistance in building your own knowledge about the potential of region and in taking up the challenge of e-adoption in the East Midlands region in the near future.

Michael Carr
East Midlands Development Agency
Executive Director of Business Services

Download the Survey Summary (2MB PDF)

Download the Main Report (3MB PDF)