By examining the log files from a corporate intranet search engine, we have analysed the actual web searching behaviour of real users in a real business environment. While building on previous research on public search engines, we apply an alternative session definition that we argue is more appropriate. Our results regarding session length, query construction and result page viewing confirm some of the findings from similar studies carried out on public search engines but further our understanding of web searching by presenting details on corporate users ’ activities. In particular, we suggest that search sessions are shorter than previously suggested, search queries have fewer terms than observed for public search engines, and number of examined result pages is smaller than reported in other research. More research on how corporate intranet users search for information is needed.

Abstract: Applications of multivariate statistical techniques, including graphical models, are seldom found in e-commerce studies. However, as this paper demonstrates, we find that probabilistic graphical models are useful in this area, both because of their ability to handle large numbers of potentially interrelated variables, and because of their ability to communicate statistical relationships clearly to both the researcher and the ultimate business audience. We show an application of this methodology to intranets, internal corporate information systems employing Internet technology. In particular, we study both the interrelationships among intranet benefits and the interrelationships among intranet applications. This approach confirms some hypothesized relationships, and uncovers heretofore-unanticipated relationships among intranet variables, providing guidance for business professionals seeking to develop effective intranet systems. The techniques described here also have potential applicability in other e-commerce arenas, including business-to-consumer and business-to-business applications. Key words: Contingency tables, graphic models, log-linear models. 1.

The web was intended to be a collaborative environment where users could exchange ideas but has turned into a read-only environment. The same is true for corporate intranets. In this paper we examine whether the removal of this read-only limitation can facilitate knowledge sharing. By installing a wiki in a corporate intranet, we intervened in an organisational setting and studied the results of this provocation. We found that the intranet transformed from being a semi-static bulletin board to a dynamic exchange forum for internal information. Our conclusion is that when editing becomes as easy as surfing people who want to share knowledge can indeed do so on a corporate intranet.