Survey: Chemical Industry Adopting E-Business, Emerging Technologies

Compiled ByDeborah Austin Technology executives in the chemicals industry face three top concerns: connecting to customers, suppliers, and/or partners electronically; creating an e-business strategy; and optimizing organizational effectiveness. So says the 13th Annual Critical Issues of Information Systems Study released this month by Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC). Sixty-four percent of the executives say they are involved in e-business; another 25% noted they are considering it. Ninety-two percent of respondents say priority audiences for their e-business initiatives are suppliers and customers. More than half the respondents said they are now participating in one or more neutral online marketplaces -- mainly to drive down transaction costs. Of the remainder, nearly 82% are checking into it. CSC, headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., is a consulting and information technology services firm.