Small businesses are struggling to use even the most basic of recent technological advances, such as surfing the internet or sending email, a new study reveals.
The research, conducted by the Open University and Lloyds TSB, shows that a quarter of small firms say they are finding it hard to keep up with technological change.
More than one in ten small companies do not use email, and almost a third have yet to use the internet as a way of finding information for their business.
It also seems that many business owners are sceptical about the worth of the internet, with less than half (47%) believing that it has improved working life.
Almost one fifth of company bosses agreed with the statement that technology has taken the 'personal touch' out of working relationships.
Stephen Pegge, from Lloyds TSB Business, said: “Small firms have tended to limit their use technology to communicate and organise information, but, have been slower to wake up to the opportunities these tools might present for purchasing, production and distribution.
“If small businesses fail to invest for the future, they may not meet customers' expectations and could find they are soon overtaken by more efficient and more productive competitors.
“It's part of our responsibility as a bank to help small firms make the best use of technology to maximise their potential.”
© Crimson Business Ltd 2006
