Positive Aspects of Y2K Fears.

• Position: Brief Article

The doom and gloom of potential century-end computer glitches may be overshadowing the beneficial side of the current rush to make computers compatible with the new millennium. "Solving Y2K problems has forced businesses to confront the way they do business," maintains Richard Feinberg, professor of consumer sciences and retailing and director of the Center for Customer-Driven Quality, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. "As a result, unexpected ways to better serve the customers are being found that are unrelated to computers."

He predicts some very positive benefits from the massive effort to upgrade computers and make sure that products and services are available in the new year. Among them:

* Y2K fears could stimulate the economy if retailers and businesses stock up on inventory just in case...