Results of the 1992 State-Wide Business and Industry Survey.

As part of an effort to develop courses and programs that reflect California business and industry's current and future needs, two studies were performed by Solano Community College to examine statewide trends and issues related to office automation and marketing and management. In conducting the study of office automation, 5,000 surveys were distributed to companies throughout the state, requesting information on the use of particular hardware and software, considerations in applicant selection, on-the-job training, company characteristics, and interest in community college courses. Study findings, based on a 16% response rate, included the following: (1) 88% of the respondents used microcomputers, with 74% to 84% of these respondents using IBM or IBM-compatible computers; (2) 39% felt that the greatest obstacle to microcomputer productivity was inadequate training; and (3) over 80% of respondents trained their employees on the job for microcomputer applications. The marketing and management study involved the distribution of approximately 4,000 surveys in a three-tiered effort. Usable responses were returned by 224 firms. The survey measured the predicted level of job opportunities in 22 fields for the following 2 years, the level of employment a properly educated applicant could seek in one of those fields, whether employees would need additional on-the-job training, qualifications considered in assessing job applicants, training costs, use of community colleges for training, and information regarding international trade issues. Survey findings are presented in a series of graphs and tables. Copies of the survey instruments are included. (MAB)