Computers in the workplace (is 912 A4)

Variations in computer use by industry

The belowaverage computer use in the primary industries, manufacturing, and construction mirrors the 

occupational trends noted. Within the goodsproducing sector of the economy, computers were most 

common in manufacturing. It must be kept in mind, however, that the 1989 GSS focused on the 

information processing technology usually found in offices. As such, the GSS did not tap the full extent 

of automation in the goodsproducing sector of the economy. 

Clearly, the service sector led the way in the use of computers on the job. This is not surprising, given 

findings from the Economic Council of Canada's study 

(7)

 and the wording of the GSS question on 

technology use, which was slanted towards service sector applications. Three out of four financial 

industry employees (535,000 individuals) worked with computers. Close to half the employees in 

business services and public administration also used computers. The relatively high rate of computer use 

in the transportation and communication industry reflects the reliance of communications firms on 

sophisticated technologies. Given the huge volumes of information processed by these firms, each one 

requires large numbers of clerks (about 80% of whom are women), numerically the largest single 

occupational group of computer users.