Strategy & Leadership

Tailored with technology | Corporate Growth

October 01, 2019

Global

October 01, 2019

Global
Chris Clague

Managing editor Asia & Global editorial lead, Trade and globalisation

Chris Clague is managing editor in Asia for Economist Impact. He is an expert in international trade and trade policy and has also advised clients throughout the Asian region on the strategic implications of megatrends and political risk. He was a consultant in The Economist Group's Tokyo office and was the project leader and editor for the Economist Intelligence /Nikkei BP publication The World to 2050 (available in Japanese only). 

Prior to joining The Economist Group, he was a senior consultant and Director of China Operations for a boutique consulting firm that worked with governments and MNCs on issues related to international trade, investment, and commodities. 

Chris holds an MSc in Asian Politics from the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and a certificate in International Trade Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute’s summer academy. He provides regular commentary on trade and the Japanese economy to international media.

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The link between corporate growth and technology has always existed, but it’s growing stronger, with nine in ten executives responding that they have plans to increase their adoption of new and emerging technologies. These technologies include robotics, software-defined network, and machine learning, among others. They are being used to accomplish a range of objectives, such as improving efficiency, growing internationally and reducing costs.

There is a strong link between corporate growth and technology, according to the first report in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Tailored with Technology research programme sponsored by ANZ Bank. The report, which is focused on corporate growth, is based on a survey of more than 750 executives in eight economies: Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the coming weeks, additional reports and articles will be published on the topics of sustainability and the macro-economy, as well as specific industries.

  • Nine in ten of firms surveyed have strong plans to increase technology adoption in the next five years
  • Improving data analytics was the most popular form of technology, with 44% of the more than 750 executives selecting it as the top benefit
  • The challenges are many, with 51% firms citing security and privacy as a concern and 43% citing technology skills among employees

The link between corporate growth and technology has always existed, but it’s growing stronger, with nine in ten executives responding that they have plans to increase their adoption of new and emerging technologies. These technologies include robotics, software-defined network, and machine learning, among others. They are being used to accomplish a range of objectives, such as improving efficiency, growing internationally and reducing costs.

The most popular trend today in the survey was big data and analytics. Nearly 38% of respondents selected it as being among their top three priorities, higher than cyber security, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Big data and analytics are being used by firms for client attraction and retention, as well as risk management and forecasting.

There are barriers to technological adoption, however. Security and privacy is chief among them, with more than 51% of respondents selecting it as one of the three biggest challenges. It was followed at 43% by technology skills among employees and at 39% technology standards and regulation. Many organisations see organisational solutions to these problems, whether it is fostering more cooperation between the chief technology officer and his c-suite counterparts or changing individual mindsets in the workforce.

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