Information Technology Literacy in the Workplace:  A Preliminary Investigation

Today’s college graduates in all fields of study are expected to be proficient users of computer technologies and applications. However, a generally accepted definition of computer literacy has been elusive in part because of the dynamic and complex nature of information technologies. Moreover, the business community has been slow to articulate what technology competencies are required of new entrants into the workplace. This study identifies computer and information technology proficiencies that are perceived to be critical among employees in ten corporations in the discrete manufacturing industry. The findings of this study indicate that information technology literacy is a moving target that warrants further consideration by educators and practitioners alike. Agreement exists among study participants that IT literacy of all employees is increasingly relevant to organizational vitality. All respondents also noted that workers must be proficient in standard office suite applications. Further exploration of c porate expectations of an IT literate workforce will enable educators to not only design assessments that effectively gauge IT proficiency but also develop curricula that amplify critical IT competencies