<p>From an investment into a good company website usually economic advantages are expected. However, there only exist a few studies about the correlations between economic indicators and the quality of company websites. To investigate these correlations is one of the objectives of an international long-term study of 1,000 small and medium-sized European production companies in Germany and Denmark.</p><p>This article gives an overview of the research project with an emphasis on the statistical investigations, the obtained results, and possible interpretations. It is demonstrated how in correlation analyses one can obtain insights also from ratio numbers such as the financial gearing.    </p>

To validate a survey of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), we tested the similarity between respondents and nonrespondents using traditional methods of supplemental data collection. Additionally we also applied mixed methods by enhancing the survey data with data obtained by a novel unobtrusive method: observation of company websites. The website data were obtained through human collection of characteristics of the homepage with observation of functional items that were coded and combined into an index for general website quality. Analysis of these data supported the validity of the original survey and exhibited a positive significant correlation between the survey index for use of information technology (IT) and the website quality index. The finding supports unobtrusive website observation as an appropriate data collection substitute.

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Environmental disclosure in business has been researched. However, only a few projects have addressed disclosures in connection to the companies' obligations to follow environmental laws, standards, and regulations which is the main objective of the field of corporate environmental compliance management (CECM). This article describes the basis of a systematic literature review and the current state of knowledge about CECM website disclosure. Furthermore, major conceptual and methodological aspects for future disclosure studies are presented. The authors also propose a global CECM data collection and further research directions in order to close today's knowledge gap concerning determining factors and major characteristics of CECM disclosure. The research directions are exemplified by a set of novel questions. Future investigations of these questions through corresponding data analysis on the basis of the proposed CECM data collection will yield new insights that are relevant for researchers, practitioners, and governmental agencies.

Purpose -This paper aims to investigate the management process in company networks. A new information support service can assist network managers in the complex task of orchestrating members of the network to so-called network actor sets (NAS) that deliver the ''best fit'' for incoming inquiries. Design/methodology/approach -A corresponding conceptual framework and system approach is developed. The proposed system employs a pragmatic two-phase multi-criteria scoring scheme for orchestrating NAS under consideration of the specific needs of inquiries and, too, the company network as a whole. Findings -The research indicates that the orchestration of NAS may be effectively performed by a corresponding information technology (IT) support service. Through the service orchestration decisions may become less influenced by human factors. The service will also lead to better transparency, traceability, and analytical possibilities regarding the inquiry management process. Networks with a high number of members and with many overlaps in company profiles and competences will find this service useful.Research limitations/implications -Further orchestration criteria will be explored in the future by a simulation study. Practical implications -The paper presents recommendations for structuring the inquiry management process in company networks to improve effectiveness by the use of IT. Also, it contains a sound framework for the implementation of the proposed service as part of IT infrastructures for company networks. Originality/value -The paper presents major insights, concepts, and a system approach for a novel information support service for network moderators.