Humanism and fear ! How professional women in the ICT business sector perceive the new technology

This article starts off with the hype around information and communication technology (ICT) in Sweden. ICT is seen as the nucleus for economic development globally, nationally and locally. The Swedish IT -commission sees the new technology as a tool for increasing democracy and enhancing the social well-being of its citizens, and actively pushes the technology and its use. But can a technology which is viewed as gendered by feminists be used uncritically ? What will the outcome be for different groups in society ? This paper focuses on personal interviews with five executive professional business women and how they perceive ICT. The empirical material is discussed within a feminist theoretical framework. The women's views on ICT and its use is discussed thoroughly. The conclusion is that the women lack humanism in the visions and implementations which are emanating around ICT. And they fear a scenario where growing inequalities and a tougher social climate will become a reality in the near future.Jerndal Randi. Humanism and fear ! How professional women in the ICT business sector perceive the new technology. In: NETCOM : Réseaux, communication et territoires / Networks and Communication Studies, vol. 14 n°1-2,2000. The Use of ICT in a Geographical Context Research at Göteborg University, Sweden. pp. 77-97