Standards New Zealand Committee Members' view of information technology applications in relation to Standards development

Abstract

Research was undertaken to show how members of Standards New Zealand committees use and view the dissemination of electronic information through SPEX, the Standards New Zealand extranet developed specifically for this purpose. Time constraints allowed only two types of committees to be surveyed, electrical and health related areas. Only 45% of respondents filled out the questionnaire. 72% of the respondents are in the 40 — 59 age group, 53% were Australian and 47% New Zealanders, with very few women. The results were unexpectedly less negative than originally anticipated. 69% were pleased with how SPEX currently operates, with most of the members not printing the documents that have been uploaded, and most had sufficient equipment and access to technology to use SPEX effectively. A need for further training, particularly in the use of the site buttons and navigation was indicated.