世論 What Japan Thinks

japan.internet.com, in conjuction with JR Tokai Express Research, looked into how workers helped out their bosses with computer-related tasks. There is the promise of them reporting later on how bosses view their subordinates’ use of computers, which I eagerly await! They interviewed 330 people in non-management positions in private companies, 79.1% male. 17.6% were in their twenties, 48.8% in their thirties, and 33.6% in their forties.

Rather than the typical Dilbert image of the Pointy-Haired Boss (hmm, I can’t find that cartoon strip on the internet!), I’ve chosen the Japanese equivalent for the title, the Bar Code-Haired Boss. The boss here refers, I believe, to anyone in management that is above the respondent in the office hierarchy, rather than just the direct boss.

I don’t have much direct contact with management, but do I see a lot of the effects of a lack of skill. My biggest gripe is the inappropriate use of tools; Excel seems the tool of choice for memos, diagramming, etc; and PowerPoint rather than Word for specifications and other technical documentation.

In the sample, just one single person said they couldn’t operate a PC themselves, but that begs the question of how did they complete the survey in the first place!

Q1: Have you had to do any of the following for your boss? (Sample size=330, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Wrote a Word document for the boss	178	53.9%
Searched the internet or intranet for information for the boss	165	50.0%
Prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the boss	164	49.7%
Read or wrote mail for the boss	82	24.8%
Filled in an Excel spreadsheet for the boss	74	22.4%
Entered data into Groupware for the boss	58	17.6%
Never been asked by the boss	93	28.2%
Other	7	2.1%

Note that it appears the question refers to requests to do something that the boss should do but can’t due to a lack of computer skill, rather than refering to the act of delegation - ahh, delegation, that’s another issue I could wax lyrically on about!

Q2: Does your boss ask you how to operate his or her PC? (Sample size=330)

Yes, almost every day	15.2%
Yes, sometimes	44.8%
No, hardly ever	24.5%
No, never	15.5%

Q3: Which of the following PC tasks has your boss asked you about? (Sample size=330, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
How to use Word or Excel	129	39.1%
How to prepare PowerPoint or a PDF	107	32.4%
How to connect to the internet or intranet	84	25.5%
How to use mail client	66	20.0%
How to use browser	60	18.2%
How to switch on PC or use mouse	37	11.2%
Never been asked	69	20.9%
Other	29	8.8%

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