Technology plays a leading role for Irish Business Leaders

Business leaders across Ireland are firm believers in the power of technology and the important role it plays, not only in supporting their own business needs but in overcoming the wider socioeconomic issues they face. According to research – Technology in a Transforming Ireland – of Irish business leaders commissioned by Fujitsu, nearly 6-in-10 (59 percent) say that advances in technology will enable them to overcome many of the socioeconomic issues they face today, including global economic uncertainty and political turbulence.

Assessing the impact of technology, 73 percent of business leaders surveyed state that technology is driving a positive change in their business across multiple areas.

Top 3 positive changes that technology is bringing to Irish businesses:

• Improved operational efficiency (51 percent)
• More productive employees (40 percent)
• Implementing new technologies is contributing to cost savings (46 percent)

A key insight of this study was the evolving role of technology companies in Irish society. 38 percent of business leaders felt that as a company leader they feel responsible for helping society through the ongoing changes facing the country, with 43 percent acknowledging that they should be doing more to drive innovations in Ireland. Technology will no doubt play a central role in driving our economy and society forward with 49 percent of business leaders stating that technology will enable them to overcome many of the socioeconomic issues they are facing today and that the ability to drive change and innovation in Ireland is crucial to their organisations future (52 percent).

Business leaders are becoming increasingly confident when it comes to their readiness for a digital future, and their ability to embrace it. That said, they have outlined some concerns that will prevent them from totally embracing technological changes including the difficulty in keeping up with latest technologies (33 percent).

Assessing where new technologies are being embraced by Irish businesses, our research revealed the following:

Technologies implemented by Irish businesses:

1. Cloud (35 percent)
2. Automation (17 percent)
3. Virtual Reality (6 percent)
4. Robotics (7 percent)

“More than half of the businesses we surveyed acknowledge that their ability to innovate and drive change will be crucial to their businesses future,” says Tony O’Malley, CEO, Fujitsu Ireland. “It’s an exciting time for businesses in an era where technology is becoming both more commonplace and attainable every day. The majority of Irish businesses recognise that embracing technology will enable them to address changing business and consumer needs. Fujitsu Ireland is working with customers around the world to create innovative solutions that drive digital success across all sectors – from creating next-generation retail experiences to advancing the quality of medical care. The key is combining our transformation and technology expertise with the knowledge and needs of our customers and partners”.

Fujitsu’s ‘Technology in a Transforming Ireland’ report is available for download here:

http://www.fujitsu.com/ie/microsite/transforming-ireland/