Functional characteristics of commercial web sites : a longitudinal study in Hong Kong
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Information & Management
Publication Date
3-1-2004
Volume
41
Issue
4
First Page
483
Last Page
495
Keywords
Cluster analysis, Commercial web sites, Functional characteristics, Longitudinal study, Quantitative attributes
Abstract
A set of quantitative web site attributes and their corresponding metrics are proposed for better understanding of the evolution of functional characteristics of commercial web sites. This set of metrics can facilitate an objective comparison of commercial web sites developed over time and in different regions of the world. Their use would also help studies on functional classification of web sites. The result of a longitudinal study using the proposed metrics is then presented. This involves a stratified systematic sample of 98 Hong Kong-based commercial web sites measured on three separate occasions during a period of 2.5 years. The results show that, while the sampled web sites generally grew larger in content, their functions were only marginally enhanced over time, in contrast to the general impression of fast growing e-commerce activities. Cluster analysis revealed that the sample was dominated by web sites with low information intensity. The results obtained in Hong Kong were compared with those of related studies in the US and Europe.
DOI
10.1016/S0378-7206(03)00086-7
Print ISSN
03787206
E-ISSN
18727530
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2003 Elsevier B.V.
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Yeung, W. L., & Lu, M.-t. (2004). Functional characteristics of commercial web sites: A longitudinal study in Hong Kong. Information & Management, 41(4), 483-495. doi: 10.1016/S0378-7206(03)00086-7