Research Paper on:
Contemporary Small Firms and Networks' Role

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
Networks have become pervasive in the past generation, and it is certain that we will never turn away from their function, even if we find significant technological improvement in  the future. Far more than only conveniences in todays business environment, networks are crucial to the success of todays small firm. Networks are integral components of strategy, function  and management at companies of any size. Managing Rapid Growth Hoovers Online is the ecommerce incarnation of Hoovers Company Capsules, formerly a paper-based  compilation of company information whose primary customers were libraries and research agencies. What Hoovers has done over the past few years is to change its primary customer base as  well as the types of information it provides. The information is still of the same nature as when it was all paper-based and libraries and large businesses made up  the primary customer base, but now that information is more detailed and extensive - salespeople can access Hoovers lists of decision makers names in their efforts to sell big-ticket items  and systems. Putting the information online makes it instantly accessible to subscribers, altering the very nature of the value chain it possessed when it was paper-based (Coulter, 2002).  Initially, Hoovers made much of its basic information free for anyone, requiring subscription only for more detailed information. Subscription was $9.95 a month  in 1997 but Hoovers changed subscription to an annual basis later on. Annual cost was $59; its website currently requires any would-be subscriber to call or to provide information  and wait for Hoovers to call them. Theres no hint of current subscription prices, though Hoovers now has four subscription levels to offer customers. Both Hoovers Online and