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The IT sector and Globalisation report 2008
05/06/08
IT executives
are less likely to take advantage of the business strategy
opportunities created by globalisation than that c-suite
counterparts according to the recent findings of an in-depth study
by business process and IT advisory firm, EquaTerra.
The findings have indicated a surprisingly reserved approach to
globalisation from top IT executives from around the world, despite
the sector continuing to benefit from substantial investment caused
by its effects.
The ‘EquaTerra Globalisation Study’, conducted by the Economist
Intelligence Unit on behalf of EquaTerra and World 50, a knowledge
sharing community for C-level executives, assessed in detail the
perceptions of global competition and the challenges of expanding
ones’ global footprint, according to over 200 leading executives and
senior managers from the Americas, Western Europe and the Asia
Pacific.
The study revealed that while close to 90 per cent of study
participants viewed globalisation as an inevitable but positive
business challenge, IT - related respondents were 14% less likely to
indicate that their organisations favoured globalisation, and 17 per
cent less likely to see it having an overall positive effect on
their company.
IT - related study participants were also more focused on cost
reduction overall; more focused on globalisation as a means to
reduce costs and more focused on investing further in IT to respond
to the impact of globalisation. This is opposed to expanding into
new markets, making business processes more efficient or locating
and recruiting local, qualified talent.
The disruption of IT operations; a perceived ‘loss of control’
through the impact of global sourcing; a decline in the
“traditional” IT career model and fears over future leadership were
also cited as key concerns.
“Whilst some of the sector’s concerns about bearing the brunt of
major change are valid, the industry has also been presented with a
golden opportunity to lead the way, and the IT sector should really
view itself as the front of the globalisation ‘arrow’ rather than
shying away from the opportunities being presented” said Phil
Morris, Managing Director of EquaTerra Europe. “Globalisation is a
broad and multi-faceted area, often requiring expert input in order
to understand and utilise it to best effect,” he continued.
For full results of the ‘EquaTerra Globalisation Study’ please
visit:
http://www.equaterra.com/kr/research/The-Benefits-and-Challe...
Nick Gibson, editor
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