Navigation quality as a key value for the webpage of a financial entity
| Pages | 623-634 |
| Published date | 26 September 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520810914007 |
| Date | 26 September 2008 |
| Author | Enrique Bonsón‐Ponte,Tomás Escobar‐Rodríguez,Francisco Flores‐Muñoz |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Navigation quality as a key value
for the webpage of a financial
entity
Enrique Bonso
´n-Ponte, Toma
´s Escobar-Rodrı
´guez and
Francisco Flores-Mun
˜oz
Research Group: New Technologies in Accounting and Business Administration,
University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
Abstract
Purpose – The objective of this study is to measure the navigation quality of the corporate webpages
of the principal European financial entities, given the vital importance of the accessibility of online
content for the successful execution of their operational activities.
Design/methodology/approach – The web quality model proposes a structure that allows the
quality of corporate webpages to be analysed according to the three main quality criteria of content,
presentation and ease of navigation (navigability). Bonso
´net al. take this theoretical framework as
their point of departure for analysing the webpages of the principal European financial entities, and
they measure the quality of their content in the context of the extra significance these webpages will
acquire when the new Basel II international regulations enter into force in the imminent future. In this
study, a joint analysis is made of the results of both studies in order to classify European financial
entities according to the strategy adopted for their web sites.
Findings – The size of the entity behind the corporate webpage is revealed as the key variable that
explains better navigability. There is also a positive relationship between the navigability and the
content presented, which shows that companies’ strategies for improving the quality of their web site
tend to be harmonised in respect of these two criteria.
Practical implications – The approach of most of the entities to their web presence can be
characterised as informational in the sense that they are making substantial efforts to improve the
content, driven by impending new regulation. However, they are still not utilising various devices
available to make their web sites easier to navigate. Better navigability would improve user access to
the enhanced information provided.
Originality/value – The resources have been determined that are needed to improve navigability so
that these entities can advance their web site strategies and provide a harmonious combination of
adequate content and fast, easy access to that content.
Keywords Europe, Modelling,Quality, Internet, Financialinstitutions
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In a wide range of operational contexts, a notable increase is currently underway in the
use of online resources. Education, health, commerce and other areas of activity are
being visibly benefited by the use of sophisticated web sites as an information
resource, communication channel and platform for supporting different types of
operations (like placing orders), where a high degree of confidence is required in these
systems. The financial sector is no exception. The importance being acquired by the
webpages of financial entities is becoming increasingly evident (Rotchanakitumnuai
and Speece, 2003). Financial entities are channelling ever more activities through their
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Navigation
quality as
a key value
623
Refereed article received
29 June 2007
Approved for publication
23 April 2008
Online Information Review
Vol. 32 No. 5, 2008
pp. 623-634
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1468-4527
DOI 10.1108/14684520810914007
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