Research Summary
Women Business Owners More Likely Than Other Businesses To Use Computer Technology In Their Companies
Washington, DC -- Women business owners with 50 or fewer employees are almost 2/3 more likely than other businesses of the same size to use computer technology in their businesses, according to a new report by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO). More than 90% of women-owned businesses currently use at least one computer.
This information comes from NFWBO’s latest monograph report, “The Use of Computer Technology in Women-Owned Businesses.” The report is the third in NFWBO’s 1994-95 Research Monograph series, underwritten by AT&T and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). This particular monograph report was also sponsored by IBM.
“This report shows that women business owners already are leveraging computer technology to improve the operations of their companies. Almost half of those surveyed have multiple PC’s or networked systems. As our economy becomes increasingly information-dependent, women business owners are well-positioned to benefit from advances in information technology,” said Sharon Hadary, Executive Director of the National Foundation for Women Business Owners.
Report highlights:
- In 1992, 92% of women-owned businesses used at least one computer in their business, up from 80% in 1988;
- Among women-owned firms of less than 50 employees in 1992, 92% used computers. An IBM study among all firms across the U.S. with 50 or fewer employees found that 56% of those companies used computer technology in 1991;
- Women business owners use their computers for a wide range of activities and applications. Applications most often cited include administration, word processing, accounting, payroll and inventory, and database management.
“Women business owners clearly recognize that the ability to manage and move information is a key business enabler, a competitive advantage,” said Richard Falcone, AT&T Vice President, Sales, Commercial Accounts. “Today, every business that intends to be successful needs computing, networking, on-line services and even wireless to stay competitive. AT&T is determined to keep its technology and reliability most able on the market to support women business owners’ success.”
“At MetLife, we are interested in learning everything we can about the needs of women-owned businesses so we will be better able to provide the products and services to help them to continue to grow,” said Judy Weiss, Senior Vice President, The MetLife Small Business Center. “We are particularly excited about the role that technology can play in helping women succeed as business owners.”
The most important factors cited by women business owners as having a significant impact on computer purchasing decisions are reliability and service. The price of a system is a contributing factor, but not among the most significant to women business owners.
"IBM is dedicated to making sure that American businesses have the technology and resources to grow and compete in today’s economy, providing the systems and services they need today for tomorrow’s challenges. IBM is also committed to the growth of women-owned businesses, the fastest-growing segment of the economy. This monograph takes an important look at how these leading-edge businesses are using computer technology," said Peter Andino, Director, General Business, IBM.
Copies of the report are available for $40.00 from NFWBO, (301) 495-4975. A special subscription for the entire series of six reports is available for $190.00.
The National Foundation for Women Business Owners is the research, training, and education arm of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the only nationwide professional organization dedicated to women business owners. NFWBO’s mission is to support the growth of women business owners through gathering and sharing knowledge.
NOTE: The report “The Use of Computer Technology in Women-Owned Businesses” utilizes data from the 1992 biennial membership survey of the National Association of Women Business Owners, conducted by NFWBO. This survey was sponsored by leading corporate supporters AT&T and IBM. The survey garnered 1,071 responses from a questionnaire mailed to 3,855 members of the National Association of Women Business Owners. It was conducted in November, 1992. The sampling error for a survey of N=1,071 is +/- 3.2% at the 95% confidence level. The IBM study referred to was a telephone survey of 400 small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, conducted in March, 1991. The sampling error for that survey is +/- 5.0%.
Charts
Small Women-Owned Firms Are More Likely To Use Computers Than All Small Firms
Women-Owned Firms Use Their Computers for a Myriad of Tasks
Reliability, Service, Ease of Use Most Important Factors When Puchasing Computer Systems
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Citation
Center for Women’s Business Research. “Women Business Owners More Likely Than Other Businesses To Use Computer Technology In Their Companies.” Research Summary. December 10, 1994. Washington, DC.