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The 2000 National Technology Readiness Survey: Implications for E-Commerce and Internet-Based Services Ninth Annual Frontiers in Services Conference September 23, 2000 A. Parasuraman, University of Miami & Charles Colby, Rockbridge Associates, Inc. Presentation Outline.
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The 2000 National Technology Readiness Survey: Implications for E-Commerce and Internet-Based Services Ninth Annual Frontiers in Services Conference September 23, 2000A. Parasuraman, University of Miami&Charles Colby, Rockbridge Associates, Inc.
Presentation Outline • Overview of TR and the NTRS • Comparison of the 1999 and 2000 NTRS • Properties of the TR Index • TR-based typology of customers • E-Commerce-related findings from the 2000 NTRS • Selected e-commerce behaviors • Variations across TR-based segments • Research and Managerial Implications
What is Technology Readiness [TR]? TR refers to “people’s propensity to embrace and use new technologies for accomplishing goals in home life and at work”
NTRS Background & Purpose • Developed jointly with Rockbridge Associates, Inc. • Intended as an aid for effectively implementing technology among customers and employees • Provides an in-depth view of customer beliefs about technology • Profiles customers by their level of “Technology Readiness”
Methodology for 1999 and 2000 NTRS • Each survey included a sample of 1000 U.S. adults • Respondents chosen through random digit dialing • Data collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing • Survey included questions about technology beliefs, demographics, psychographics, and technology-related behaviors and preferences
Contributors Inhibitors Drivers of Technology Readiness Innovativeness Optimism Technology Readiness Discomfort Insecurity
Definitions of the TRI Dimensions • Optimism:Positive view of technology; belief that it offers increased control, flexibility and efficiency • Innovativeness:Tendency to be a technology pioneer and thought leader • Discomfort:Perceived lack of control over technology and a feeling of being overwhelmed by it • Insecurity:Distrust of technology and skepticism about its working properly
INN. 1999 DIS. 2000 INS. TRI OPT. TR Scores by Dimension and Overall TRI Mean TR Scores
Technology Readiness IndexDistribution [Mean = 100] 100 1999 100 2000 92 107 91 107 Low TR (Lower Third) High TR (Upper Third) Medium TR (Middle Third)
The TRI’s Reliability [Coefficient Alphas] 1999 2000 • Optimism [10 items]……. .81.81 • Innovativeness [7 items]. .80.81 • Discomfort [10 items]….. .75.74 • Insecurity [9 items]……... .74.74
Opt-Inn Opt-Ins Inn-Dis Inn-Ins Dis-Ins Opt-Dis Shared Variance among TR Dimensions 1999 2000 %
Characteristics of Technology Segments Optimism Innovative- Dis- Insecur- ness comfort ity ExplorersHigh High Low Low PioneersHigh High High High SkepticsLow Low Low Low ParanoidsHigh Low High High LaggardsLow Low High High
Typology of Technology Customers: Mean TR Scores for Segments (Population Mean = 100) 1999 2000
Typology of Technology Customers: Percent of Population in Each Segment 1999 2000 %
Overall Mean: 43.5 Typology of Technology Customers: Mean Age in Each Segment 1999 2000
50% Typology of Technology Customers: Percent of Males in Each Segment 1999 2000 %
Overall Mean: 48 Typology of Technology Customers: Mean Household Income (in 000’s of US$) 1999 2000 US$ 000’s
Research Implications Need to examine: • Temporal stability of TR scores over the long term -- e.g., Are some dimensions more stable than others? • Possible variations in TR across countries and cultures, reasons for such variations, and their implications for multinational companies. • Individual-specific drivers (e.g., psychographics) and consequences (e.g., satisfaction) of TR in past year, only 16% checked their bank
E-commerce in 2000 Findings from the 2000 NTRS
Concern over the Safety of E-Commerce Persists 1999 2000 77% 73% 67% 70% 58% 59% “Do not consider it safe giving out a credit card number over a computer” “Do not feel confident doing business with a place that can only be reached online” “Do not consider it safe to do any kind of financial business online”
Despite Concerns, E-Commerce Continues to Grow, Especially for Items Costing $10 or More %
Explorers are Leading the Pack (almost half make big ticket purchases), Followed by Pioneers and Skeptics %
Males Books/magazines (49%) Computer Equipment (44%) Music (42%) Females Books/Magazines (48%) Clothing (37%) Music (29%) What are People Buying Online? Businesses • Computer Software, Computer Hardware, Books, Office Supplies, Airline Travel
Motivations for Buying Online • 70% of purchases are for personal use, 12% business, 17% gifts • Reasons for buying online include: convenience, availability (items not found in a nearby store), better prices • Major reason for NOT buying online is a concern about safety/security • Purchases tend to be planned
The Most Important Features of E-Commerce Sites are those that Protect and Reassure the Consumer
The More Popular E-Commerce Sites Stand Out by Offering Availability, Selection and Ease of Use; Needs Differ by TR-Level % * Note: Small sample size (n=22) for Low TR group
Other Observations about E-Commerce • Most Preferred Method of Customer Service is Telephone Support • Credit Cards are the Preferred and Most Widely Used Payment Method for Merchandise • Services seem to lag behind products; e.g., account online & only 5% have signed up for telecom service online
Who is Buying Online? • 50% are female • Fastest growth among females and medium-TR consumers • Slightly younger (55% are under 40, versus 45% of U.S.) • Much more educated (41% have 4 yr. college degree versus 24% of U.S.) • Higher income (median income $52K versus $40K for all U.S.) • Similar marital, family and ethnic background
Managerial Implications • Insecurity and Discomfort are major inhibitors of e-commerce; consumer beliefs so far remain unchanged • E-commerce providers can address these concerns through: secure sites, privacy policies, warranties, clear information, telephone support • Less techno-ready consumers seek out sites for their availability of unique goods; they are less price conscious than more techno-ready consumers • It is critical for providers to test their sites for ease of navigation and use
For More Information... • Watch out for Techno-Ready Marketing: How and Why Your Customers Acquire Technology, A. Parasuraman and Charles Colby, Free Press, NY, May 2001 • Visit www.rockresearch.com and select “Technology Readiness”