Is the Slowing Economy Helping or Hurting Usability?
http://www.nngroup.com/worldtour/cit_se.html

Loranger, Hoa
Nielsen Norman Group
2001

Abstract:

Seattle attendees felt the slowing economy would underscore the importance of usability practices. They don't see the slow-down in retail sales negatively affecting the usability field: 'In terms of usability, the focus will be the same...If we had to cut something, it wouldn't be usability.' While the slowing economy will force some companies to implement cutbacks and downsize, they believe that it will also show companies that they need usability in order to remain competitive.