In the digital-first world, technology isn't just a supporting function, but a vital player in an organisation's success. This survey of thousands of executives and technology professionals examines the status, future, and risks of IT and technology use, specifically in large and enterprise-sized organisations in the UK and Ireland.
We surveyed 3,300 professionals working worldwide in IT and in other business functions. In the UK and Ireland, 300 decision-makers (DMs) across IT, and other key business functions were surveyed from a range of private sector organisations. We've divided them into two broad categories: IT decision-makers (ITDMs), and business decision-makers (BDMs).
IT decision-makers (ITDMs)
Business decision-makers (BDMs)
of all DMs (both ITDMs and BDMs) in the UK and Ireland say that collaboration between their IT teams and other departments has increased over the last two years.
of IT leaders felt they were not consulted at all or consulted inadequately about adopting a flexible working model.This is lower than the global average of 32%.
Most decision-makers hold their IT and security teams and chief security officers responsible
for securing the organisation against cyberattacks.
Whose responsibility should it be to protect your organisation from cyberattacks?
However, in a refreshing change from the global trend, 23% of them also believe that everyone in the organisation plays a role in securing the organisation from cyberattacks. More decision-makers in the UK hold everyone at their organisation accountable for cyberattacks than any other cohort across the globe.
of all decision-makers believe that IT is more responsible for business innovation than ever before.
Even as the people's expectations of the IT team rise, its ability to innovate or support innovation may be stifled by its limited voice at the leadership level.
UK and Ireland buck the global trend when it comes to decentralization of IT.
of ITDMs say their organisation has successfully decentralized their IT structure. This is much lower than the global average of 64%.
of ITDMs say their organisations are NOT attempting to decentralize their IT. This is five times more than the global average of 6%.
Decision-makers in this region (both ITDMs and BDMs) believe that decentralization of IT structures could help drive more innovation and help the IT team's role be acknowledged more prominently.
Based on the responses of all decision-makers (ITDMs and BDMs)
IT sovereignty is what seems to be holding back firms in the UK and Ireland from the global trend of decentralization. Additionally, ITDMs with decentralized (or soon-to-be decentralized) IT structures in the UK are more concerned about regulatory structure and ensuring support.
of these ITDMs reported challenges related to security. Globally, this number is 56%.
each reported challenges with:
What challenges will your organisation face if it continues to decentralize its IT functions?
Based on responses from ITDMs who said their organisation has, or is attempting to decentralize their IT structure
These differences are minor (except in the case of security), but indicate that regulatory concerns in these countries might act as a roadblock as well when it comes to decentralizing IT.
of ITDMs disagree with the statement that they feel less loyalty to their employers than they did 2 years ago. This is marginally higher than the global average of 51%.
of ITDMs in the UK and Ireland believe that their organisation should have supported them more in the last two years. This is a significant number, but on the bright side, it's 8% lower than the global average of 70%.
Only 6% of ITDMs said that nothing will make them leave their current organisation.
Flexible working models and inflation-linked pay increases are the top two current benefits that ITDMs value most. Eliminating these benefits could prompt them to quit.
Which of these would drive you to resign from your current organisation if it was no longer offered?
IT teams in the UK and Ireland have seen more collaboration with other departments. As a result, there's been an increase in their importance across the organisation. However, even as expectations of IT teams rise, these teams are being stifled by insufficient representation at the leadership level.
Loyalty is also flagging for a significant number of IT leaders. Organisations need to ensure they don't take away key benefits like flexible work. Doing so may cost them valuable tech talent.
Prepare your organisation for the digital workplaces of the future.
Download the report
