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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2003

Russell Williams and Rulzion Rattray

The growth of the Internet and Web offers opportunities to both organisations and individuals. Some of this opportunity is lost to both though if Web site content is not…

766

Abstract

The growth of the Internet and Web offers opportunities to both organisations and individuals. Some of this opportunity is lost to both though if Web site content is not accessible. To date this fact has received little attention. However, as the market matures and legal parameters surrounding discrimination become clearer, the topic of accessibility will take on increasing significance. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to those assessments of Web content accessibility already undertaken, as well as to spread the accessibility word to a wider audience. The study looked at the accessibility of UK‐based accountancy sites utilising the evaluation software Bobby. It found that the accessibility of UK‐based accountancy firms to be relatively poor in comparison to other (mostly US and university and library) surveys.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 18 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2005

Russell Williams and Rulzion Rattray

Identifying the different user needs and capabilities of individuals online, the aim of this research is to highlight the importance of “web content accessibility” in effective…

1678

Abstract

Purpose

Identifying the different user needs and capabilities of individuals online, the aim of this research is to highlight the importance of “web content accessibility” in effective online communication. In particular, identifying the statistical size of disabled and “challenged” individuals in the marketplace, the paper identifies a competitive mandate for considering online accessibility. In addition, a developing legal mandate, based on the idea that access to information also involves access to opportunity and participation, is set out. Having identified the importance of the accessibility issue, the second aim of the research is to provide an assessment of current levels of online accessibility, as well as to compare these with the limited published research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

Following previous accessibility research, the “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines”, produced by the “Web Accessibility Initiative”, are adopted as the de facto standards for accessibility. Against these standards, a sample of UK hotel web pages was then assessed utilising the software assessment tool, “Bobby”. Given the limitations of the Bobby software to assess web sites against all the de facto standards, additional manual checks were also made.

Findings

The hotel web sites revealed very poor levels of accessibility in both absolute and relative terms. Examining the data collected manually revealed that the poor level of accessibility is likely to result from a lack of awareness of the critical issues and techniques required for providing access. If organisations want to maximise their online reach, then an outside‐in, user‐centred approach is therefore necessary.

Practical implications

Provides a framework as to how organisations might usefully implement a web content accessibility strategy.

Originality/value

Enables web authors to evaluate their content from an accessibility perspective.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Russell Williams, Rulzion Rattray and Alexandra Stork

Information exchange is important in any transaction but is perhaps particularly important for transactions in the travel and tourism industry where information gratification…

1924

Abstract

Information exchange is important in any transaction but is perhaps particularly important for transactions in the travel and tourism industry where information gratification plays such a crucial role. Internet‐based technologies allow organisations to exchange information with an often geographically dispersed and wider marketplace without a loss of quality. However, merely being online, publishing a Web site is not enough. Organisations need to ensure their Web sites obtain “traffic” or “hits” and, importantly, that the content of their sites is accessible. Accessible Web sites mean access for all, accommodating different user capabilities and needs. This research examines the emerging competitive and legal imperatives to consider the issue of Web content accessibility as well as what makes for an accessible Web site. In spite of the strong competitive and legal imperatives for accessibility, a survey of 100 UK and German‐based travel and tourism Web sites conducted here revealed disappointingly low levels of accessibility. As the Internet and Web come to play a more important part in individual lives, this finding suggests that many organisations need to work harder to ensure that their often considerable investments achieve what they set out to do – communicate effectively with what they hope is a larger marketplace.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2004

Russell Williams and Rulzion Rattray

Consultants are often criticised for using the managerial equivalent of psychobabble, “consultobabble”, as a part of a big con. Consultobabble, it is argued, hides issues around…

1459

Abstract

Consultants are often criticised for using the managerial equivalent of psychobabble, “consultobabble”, as a part of a big con. Consultobabble, it is argued, hides issues around consultant credibility and serves to generate a part of the mystique that allows them to peddk the latest management fad. This article examines the consultant‐client relationship, arguing that consultobabble, at least in process consultation exercises such as visual thinking, has a legitimate role. Notably, it argues that consultobabble deflects any resentment directed at the consultant by establishing consultant and process credibility. It also serves to facilitate client group conversations. Auditors need to understand therefore that consultobabble can be an essential part of effective client‐consultant relationship.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

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