Task analysis of the webmaster: results of an empirical study

Authors: Van der Walt, Pieter; Van Brakel, Pieter

Source: Aslib Proceedings: new information perspectives, Volume 52, Number 1, 2000 , pp. 20-38(19)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

The functions or tasks of the typical webmaster appear to be extremely diverse in nature. These can vary from basic web page design to gathering website statistics or even to establishing the web-based information needs of the employees of a specific organisation. Although a number of mainly electronic documents were written on the functions of the webmaster, not many studies were undertaken to empirically verify these. This article discusses the results from an international survey in which the webmasters or managers of web teams were involved from 100 of the Global 500 list of organisations. An analysis of the information provided by the respondents indicated that one person (the traditional webmaster) can no longer be responsible for all the responsibilities of developing and/or maintaining the information flow within an organisation`s website. The diversity of tasks that were identified by the respondents were analysed and the results brought together in a number of figures and tables.

Keywords: Empirical Study; Internet; Research and Development

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006998

Publication date: 2000-01-01