The Role Of Gender In The Outcome OfICT Adoption – Can Nurses Be Technologists?

Abstract

The use of computers in the work place has increased in recent years with more and more professions becoming dependent on information and communication technology (ICT). Research shows that women in general tend to be slow in engaging with computing and there are many records of women’s negative experiences with ICT [1]. Women have often been portrayed as passive users [17]. The female perception of ICT tends to be that it is a male dominated area. Frenkel [9] states that the computer culture is uncomfortable for girls and women, they are ill at ease in a field that seems to encourage “highly focused, almost obsessive behaviour”, as the key to success. This study investigates the use of ICT in a female oriented work environment. For the purpose of this research the nursing profession was selected as nursing is a gendered job [6], not only because women make up the vast majority of workers but because of the centrality of care (the socially accepted role of women), to the work they perform [3]. This study shows that nurses as carers find it difficult to transfer any previously acquired information technological skills into their work based information technology needs. The research was carried out in local hospitals and nursing communities. The method used was survey by questionnaire to ascertain previous knowledge, skills and training in ICT together with nurses’ perception of themselves as ICT users. © 2004 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISBN 1-85312-726-4 Human Perspectives in the Internet Society: Culture, Psychology and Gender, K. Morgan, J. Sanchez, C. A. Brebbia & A Voiskounsky (Editors)