Report on a Pilot Study to Determine What Types of Tasks are Done on Mainframe and/or Microcomputers by Members of Business-Related Professional Associations with Implications for Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine which work-related tasks members of professional associations perform on a microcomputer and which they perform on a mainframe computer. A questionnaire was developed, field tested, and mailed to members of local chapters of five professional organizations: Administrative Management Society, Data Processing Management Association, Minnesota Office systems Association, National Association of Accountants, and Professional Secretaries International. Usable responses were received from 133 business professionals. Data were analyzed using the Frequencies and Chisquare subprograms of SPSS-X. The results of data analyses revealed that there is a significant difference in the way members of business-related professional associations use computers to complete spreadsheet tasks. No significant differences between the use of mainframe and microcomputer technology were found among members of business-related professional organizations who perform accounting, data base, graphics, or word processing tasks as part of their jobs. It is recommended that instruction in BOTH technologies be included within the business curriculum.