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Online business development services for entrepreneurs: an exploratory study

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  • Daniel Evans
  • Thierry Volery

Abstract

This paper addresses the use of the Internet to provide business development services such as training, consulting, counselling and networking. Using a Delphi study of experts from around the world, the possible uses of the Internet as well as criteria for successful implementation are presented. Three critical success factors for providing online services are identified. First, an effective use of online resources requires that the inherent strengths of the Internet be exploited. Using online tools when they are perceived to be a ‘second-best’ mode of communication is inefficient and can be counterproductive. Second, personal contact is still very important and can complement online services. Third, successful online services require an effective Internet site and program management. The study also shows that the specific nature of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs must be carefully considered when developing online services. The entrepreneur is more concerned about his/her problems and is less concerned with the problems of others. However, he or she is willing to participate in a small learning network if the benefits go beyond that of just learning together. Similarly, online training for entrepreneurs should be complemented by a face-to-face component. An efficient/effective pure online training program for entrepreneurs would be very difficult if not impossible to develop and implement.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Evans & Thierry Volery, 2001. "Online business development services for entrepreneurs: an exploratory study," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 333-350, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:13:y:2001:i:4:p:333-350
    DOI: 10.1080/08985620110052274
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    Cited by:

    1. Terrence Sebora & Sang Lee & Nittana Sukasame, 2009. "Critical success factors for e-commerce entrepreneurship: an empirical study of Thailand," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 303-316, March.
    2. Ma Garzón, 2010. "A comparison of personal entrepreneurial competences between entrepreneurs and CEOs in service sector," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 4(3), pages 289-303, December.
    3. Ratinho, Tiago & Amezcua, Alejandro & Honig, Benson & Zeng, Zhaocheng, 2020. "Supporting entrepreneurs: A systematic review of literature and an agenda for research," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    4. Ruwan Abeysekera & Dean Patton & Andrew Mullineux, 2015. "Co-Production in Business Counselling in Microfinance Setting: A Conceptual Approach," Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 23(03), pages 299-319, September.
    5. W. David Allen & Thomas W. Hall, 2007. "Innovation, Managerial Effort, and Start-Up Performance," Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management, vol. 12(2), pages 87-118, Fall.
    6. Neghină Ramona-Alexandra & Mănescu Valentin-Andrei & Ganciu Mihaela-Rodica & Ilie Dragoș-Georgian & Militaru Gheorghe, 2019. "Online business networking experience research on ecommerce entrepreneurs," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 385-398, May.

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