Enterprise use of mash-ups is set to explode in the coming year, although general understanding of Web 2.0 technologies is still fairly poor, according to a new Europe-wide survey by infrastructure software vendor BEA Systems.

The report found that demand for mash-ups is set to treble from its current level of six percent of organisations to 18 percent within 18 months.

But it also reported that 57 percent of respondents considered a lack of understanding to be the main reason why senior management does not invest in Web 2.0 technologies.

"So many things come under the Web 2.0 banner like MySpace and Facebook, that many companies say 'how can we really apply that to us'," argued BEA's Matt Davies. "It is a challenge to place this new exciting technology in an enterprise structure – I would always say make sure you have a sure foundation in place before you deliver on this."

The research also highlighted the major business reasons why firms are adopting Web 2.0 tools and technologies. Improved interaction with customers was cited by 41 percent of respondents, while a third referenced improved employee collaboration, and 28 percent pointed to creating an easier interface with partners and /or suppliers.