They can also be used for surveillance of workers and to do work originally done by people. They can be involved in such things as the development of software to reduce numbers of teachers. These developments are the result of human decision making. Electronic Commerce Electronic commerce is playing an increasingly important part in the North American economy, and is being encouraged by government. The picture is not entirely rosy, as seen in the huge growth of online pornography and the part the Internet plays in sex tourism.
Electronic commerce has implications for women as consumers, producers and organizers.
We can use the Internet to inform, discuss and campaign around a company's practices - from their inclusion of women in senior positions, to the conditions for women in the manufacture of their products. The lack of analysis and planning to ensure the inclusion of the diversity of women in communications technology will have huge repercussions on women. Women will become further marginalised in our future society. Without the empowerment of communications technology we will find it increasingly difficult to take our rightful place as lively, vocal, productive and equal members of society.