Managers for Microsoft

By KAREN KAPLAN

May 25, 1998 12 AM PT

In its battle with the Justice Department, Microsoft Corp. may not be able to depend on its own industry group. The Software Publishers Assn. is backing the federal trustbusters--but Bill Gates does have the support of the American Management Assn.

In a survey of nearly 1,500 U.S. managers and executives, 61% said the government should not question Microsoft’s business practices. Only 26% said the software giant should be subject to regulation to prevent the kind of market dominance that can be unhealthy for the economy. The survey also found that 62% of managers think Microsoft should be able to add Internet browsing features to its operating system software, while 29% said the company should have to sell Internet Explorer and Windows 98 separately.

One surprising finding: Among users of rival browser Netscape Navigator, 68% have a favorable impression of Microsoft, compared with the 9% who have an unfavorable view.

Technology and the Internet Business

Karen Kaplan

Karen Kaplan covers science and medical research for the Los Angeles Times. She has been a member of the science team since 2005, including 13 years as an editor. Her first decade at The Times was spent covering technology in the Business section as both a reporter and editor. She grew up in San Diego and is a graduate of MIT and Columbia University.

Managers for Microsoft

More From the Los Angeles Times