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Purpose of the Study. To examine the criteria used in the adoption of VoIP Overview of the Study 4 criteria sets: Economic & Financial criteria Technology & Usability criteria Legal & Regulatory criteria Sources of information Research Question:
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Purpose of the Study • To examine the criteria used in the adoption of VoIP • Overview of the Study • 4 criteria sets: • Economic & Financial criteria • Technology & Usability criteria • Legal & Regulatory criteria • Sources of information • Research Question: • What criteria do small and medium sized businesses use when they decide to adopt VoIP?
Significance of the Study • Evolution of telephony • “Other than the invention of the telegraph, in 1876, nothing else will do so much to revolutionize the way individuals communicate more the IP telephony”-David Greenblatt • New technology (and a new industry) but a lack of formal independent research • SMBs are fundamentally different than a large organization • No formal procedure for the adoption of new technology • Lack of financial bandwidth to research/develop strategies for technology adoption • Provide independent information to both the consumer (SMB) and the vendor (ITSP)
Conceptual Framework (continued) • Focus on 2 of the 4 criteria sets • Economic & Financial criteria • Technology & Usability criteria • Independent Variable #1 - Economic & Financial criteria • Long-distance toll savings • Cost of Technical Support • Cost of On-going Maintenance • Return on Investment • Equipment Costs • Cost to Expand System • Time Lost during transition
Conceptual Framework (continued) • Independent Variable #2 - Technology & Usability criteria • Ability to Expand System • Proprietary System • Security of Communication Channel • Ability to Integrate with current network • Ease of Use
Research Design & Data Collection • Requirements • Provide a “snapshot” perspective • Need to complete the study in 6 months • Help keep costs down • Help to reduce resource consumption • Work within a budget of $50,000 • Population • SMBs with a credit score • DNB has over 18 million in their database
Research Design & Data Collection (continued) • Sample • What is a SMB? • Combine statistics from the SBA and the U.S. General Accounting Office. • The SBA has a clear definition for a “Small Business” • There is no formal definition from the U.S. government for a “Medium sized Business” • Small Business: • Has 1 to 500 employees • Earns $0.00 to $7 million per fiscal year • Medium Size Business: • Has 1 to 500 employees • Earns $7 million to $500 million per fiscal year • An SMB is a business that has 1 to 500 employees and earns less than $500 million per fiscal year.
Research Design & Data Collection (continued) • Sample (continued) • The Hartford - the list of businesses by Industry • 109 industries in the U.S. • Categorized by 5 groups • Services • Contractors • Educators • Manufacturers • Wholesalers • Need to purchase a list • DNB’s list will cost $1.2 million and have 18 million entries • InfoUSA’s list will cost $3,956.40 and have 16,500 entries • This list will provide: company demographics, IT or Communications Director contact information, line of business, employee size, sales volume and credit score.
Research Design & Data Collection (continued) • Sample (continued) • Randomly select 1 company from each industry • Repeat this process 5 times • This results in 545 respondents • Problems with the sample • Must individually contact all 545 respondents • To ensure accuracy and confirm participation • Must randomly select new company if previously chosen respondent does not wish to participate • The Plan • A cross-sectional analysis that includes an online self-administered survey in the form of a questionnaire • Babbie states that a cross-sectional analysis is appropriate for studies observing a sample at a specific point in time.
Research Design & Data Collection (continued) • Data Collection • Types of Data: • Fixed response questions • Numbered scale (1 though 5) • Semantic Differential (Very Positive through Very Negative) • Costs • Labor costs • Facilities costs • Equipment and supplies (including the electronic list) • Indirect costs • G&A • Financial Administration • Audit • Miscellaneous
Recommendations for Future Studies • Recreate this study - develop a trend study • Examine the other two criteria sets • Legal & Regulatory criteria • Sources of Information • Examine Small Businesses only
The End • Q & A - Are we drinking beer tonight or tomorrow night?