Modern Technology in Provincial Offices: Some Empirical Evidence

Abstract

Data from some 300 business service offices in eight British provincial cities is used to show that the adoption of information processing and telecommunications (IPT) equipment has been selective in relation to the status, function and location of establishments. Possession of certain kinds of IPT equipment increases the likelihood of other items being present. There is an inverse relationship between size of urban area and attitudes towards office technology and its adoption. Offices can be classified into a minority of positive adopters; a much larger group of conservative adopters; and a residual group of traditionalists, resolutely refusing to adapt their working practices.

^*The work reported in this is part of a larger study made possible by a grant from the Social Science Research Council (HR6435). The invaluable assistance of Dr L.E. Edwards and Miss Sharon Burn with data collection and preparation is gratefully acknowledged.

^*The work reported in this is part of a larger study made possible by a grant from the Social Science Research Council (HR6435). The invaluable assistance of Dr L.E. Edwards and Miss Sharon Burn with data collection and preparation is gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

^*The work reported in this is part of a larger study made possible by a grant from the Social Science Research Council (HR6435). The invaluable assistance of Dr L.E. Edwards and Miss Sharon Burn with data collection and preparation is gratefully acknowledged.