BUSINESS
Technology sparks innovation: survey
06-07-2004
by Craig Liddell
Senior management in over half of Irish companies recognise the importance of technology in sparking innovation, according to a survey.
The survey revealed that 58 percent of Irish senior managers appreciate the link between bringing new or better services or products to market and the implementation of new technology. This compares with just 38 percent of English companies and 17 percent of Scottish companies.
Undertaken by enterprise software vendor, Oracle, the survey also revealed that a quarter of Irish companies viewed inability to change as being the single biggest threat to their business.
"It's certainly encouraging to hear that such a high number of Irish companies now recognise the impact that technology can have on their businesses," said Nicky Sheridan, a vice president and managing director of Oracle Ireland. "It's indicative of how Irish businesses in recent years have recognised the value and return that technology can bring to their business growth."
The survey, undertaken by independent IT market researcher Vanson Bourne on behalf of Oracle, is based on a poll of 50 Irish companies with 250 staff or more.
Ireland-based firms also topped the list in making sure technology worked to their benefit. Sixty-four percent of Irish companies conduct an annual review of their IT infrastructure compared to 55 percent in England and 57 percent in Scotland. Some 55 percent of Irish managers reported that reviews are conducted internally while 41 percent are undertaken by a combination of internal and external consultants.
Sheridan believes that this is a positive development. "Of those who annually review the effectiveness of their IT systems," he said, "a huge majority (86 percent) have made changes to their IT infrastructure as a result, proving that regular evaluation can ensure that IT systems are effectively responding to business needs. The way in which we do business is constantly changing and evolving; if our IT infrastructure is to adequately complement our business processes, it too may require some adaptations."
The research also revealed that a quarter of Irish businesses view inability to change at a corporate level as the biggest threat to their business today. One in five Irish businesses views a lack of management vision and ability and a lack of access to new markets as the next biggest pressures on their business.
The survey also showed that only five percent of Irish respondents view inability of the workforce to innovate as a threat to business, compared to nine percent of English companies and 16 percent of Scottish companies.
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