Women in EDP Departments

In the first chapter some characteristics of women in EDP (Electronic Data Processing) jobs are looked at. Women's participation in EDP occupations is low, though their participation rates differs from county to country. In all countries less women seem to be employed in EDP occupations at higher job levels. Lack of part-time jobs conflicts the interests of EDP women. In the second chapter the demand side of the labour market for EDP jobs is under study. Few women do have computer qualifications but the shift in labour market demands for EDP staff towards higher educational levels and towards more business-like qualifications might offer prospects for women to enter EDP jobs. In chapter three the discussion focus on theories concerning the low participation of women in EDP jobs. Following labour market mechanisms, the tide supply of EDP professionals should lead to recruitment changes, but Dutch employers have hardly tried to recruit amongst other potential worker groups, for example women. Following the theory of occupational closure it might be assumed that control strategies of occupational groups are less effective when the educational requirements are changing. In the fourth chapter the question is posed whether women profit from the shift in labour market demands in terms of a better entry to EDP jobs and in terms of better wages. The answer is based on a case study concerning personnel data of an EDP department in an insurance firm, using data from 1981 to 1987, as is explained in chapter five. In chapter six the main descriptive statistics are presented. The male and female employees in the EDP department differ with respect to numbers of employees, average age, average tenure, average salaries and average salary group. Staff mobility is much higher amongst women than