In the midst of a recession, should firms cut back on technology investment to conserve cash or ramp up spending to win a competitive advantage when the economy turns around? As shown by the results of our annual midlevel job satisfaction survey, firms tested both approaches, to mixed results. As part of the survey, we asked 4,942 third-, fourth-, and fifth-year associates from 137 large and midsize firms to rate their firms’ technology in the areas of quality, training, support, and use on behalf of clients on a 1-to-5 scale, with 5 being the highest possible score.

Elsewhere in the survey, we asked associates how the recession had affected their firms generally, and found division among midlevels who mentioned technology in their answers. Some said that their firms cut back technology investment because of the recession, an approach that they characterized as shortsighted. Midlevels at other firms said that the recession spurred an increased focus on technology, although when asked, management tended to dismiss the correlation.