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Role misconceptions and negotiations in small business owner/web developer relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

Janene Carey
Janene Carey*
Affiliation:
University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia
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Abstract

Small business owners who turn to professional web development consultants for assistance with building a web site may need support not only in terms of the technical aspects of web site implementation, but also in terms of understanding their options for e-business. However, client/consultant relationships within the small business sector can be problematic and the limited research available into small business engagement of web developers suggests that bad experiences and disappointing outcomes are not uncommon.

Interpretive case study methodology was used to explore four sets of small business owner/web developer relationships: how each pair worked together and what they expected of each other. The negotiation and clarification of roles and responsibilities proved to be an essential aspect of the relationships. Also, achieving an adequate level of client involvement in the web site design and development process was a challenge in all cases.

Keywords

small businesse-businessconsultantsweb site developmentstrategycase studies
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , March 2008 , pp. 85 - 99
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2008

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