Who cares about computer based information systems? – a postal survey of small manufacturing firms

This paper reports on a survey into the use of computer based information systems (CBIS) amongst small manufacturing firms in the UK. The results suggest that computers are used extensively and that most managers who participated are satisfied with their current systems. However, the use of network technology, including email and the internet is still limited. The survey evidence suggests that information technology knowledge and computer literacy levels of managers are the key factors for a high level of CBIS implementation, including the adoption of network technology. The number of employees and the turnover of the firm are related to the level of computer use, but neither the age of the firm nor its recent growth pattern shows any relationship with the use of computers and network systems. Managers' perceptions of their firms' competitiveness and their satisfaction with their firms' performance appear not to be related to the level of computer use in the firms studied.