Businesswomen and the Internet: Business Beats Out Shopping; New Survey Shows Businesswomen Take the Internet Seriously.

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2000

Despite all the focus on women using the Internet for shopping and e-mail, one new study shows that the vast majority of businesswomen surveyed use the Internet primarily for business purposes, spending much more time on-line for business than personal matters.

The survey, developed by the Simmons Graduate School of Management (GSM) in Boston and Compaq Computer Corporation, revealed that the businesswomen's primary use of the Internet was for business research--67% percent--followed by travel planning and buying gifts.

Almost one third of the women (30%) said they used the Internet 16 hours or more per week for business, compared to fewer than 10 percent who use it that frequently for personal purposes. Business and financial Web sites were the most frequently visited sites (more than 60% of the respondents visited those sites), followed by travel/map/weather sites and news sites. Fewer than one-quarter of the businesswomen said they visit sites specifically designed for women.

Eighty-three percent of the women say they expect the growth of e-commerce and the Internet to have a positive effect on their careers.

The survey was administered in May during the 21st annual Leadership Conference for Women, a national conference led by the Simmons Graduate School of Management, which has the only graduate business school in the world designed specifically for women. The conference was attended by more than 2,000 businesswomen from across the country representing a wide range of fields.

"This survey shows that in this new economy, which provides a relatively level playing field for women and men, women are serious about the use of technology as an effective business tool," said Patricia O'Brien, Dean of the Simmons Graduate School of Management.

Nearly 20 percent of the attendees--370 women--completed the survey, which was administered throughout the day on Compaq laptop computers connected to a stand-alone local area network. The questions explored a variety of issues, including women's attitudes about career advancement, the impact of the Internet and e-commerce on careers, the use of the Internet for business and personal purposes, and the recruitment and retention of women employees.

Seventy percent of the respondents were between the ages of 30 and 50; a little more than half make at least $75,000 a year. One-third make more than $100,000 a year.

Other survey results included:

--Nearly three-fourths of the respondents (72%) say they are somewhat or very likely to change employers over the next two years. They said the most important things employers can do to keep them is provide challenging and interesting work, recognition and appreciation, and professional growth opportunities. Those outweighed flexible work schedules, promotions, work-life balance, or stock options.

--Overwhelmingly, the women believe their gender is an obstacle to career advancement; ninety-seven percent said gender is sometimes or always an obstacle in advancement.

--The women said the most important factor for them to achieve their career goals is a supportive boss, followed by the trust of senior level executives.

--More than half the women are interested in taking a business or professional development course on-line; more than one-quarter are already doing educational activities on-line.

(Reporters note: For more information contact Diane Millikan at Simmons College, 617-521-2364 or [e-mail].)