Published on in Digital Transformation

There’s no denying it; we live in a time of tremendous change. Just last week, the Chancellor signalled investment into the development of new regulation for driverless cars in the Autumn Statement. Who would have predicted that just a few years ago?

Technology has, and will continue, to push industries into new territories. I see this every day when I speak with customers, whether they’re a retailer looking at how they can better understand customer behaviour through data analytics, or a manufacturer getting to grips with the Internet of Things (IoT) for the first time.

It can be both exciting and daunting, presenting opportunity and risk; but today, there’s even more to grapple with than just technology.

Our world is an uncertain one. Economic and political instability both nationally and internationally have many wondering what the future holds, and how we might build towards a better one.

We wanted to explore how these factors are impacting businesses and the public, and better understand the role of technology within this. The result is Technology in a Transforming Britain.

Surveying 2,000 members of the public and 647 business leaders, across a number of verticals, the findings paint a fascinating picture of the UK today.

Responsibility for change

You can read the full report here but one of the key insights is around who the public and business leaders feel is responsible for driving innovation and navigating through the change it is causing.

It’s encouraging to see that business leaders carry a strong sense of responsibility for driving change. A significant 77 percent told us they believe businesses are responsible for driving change, but there’s more to be done, with almost half (49 percent) feeling they’re not doing enough.

This is a feeling shared by consumers; more than half (51 percent) say private companies have the responsibility and influence to drive societal change.

This places a heavy load on the shoulder of UK businesses today. Helping to navigate a path to economic growth and positive societal change means the time for truly responsible business is now.

This is clearly not an insignificant task; how can business leaders hope to overcome the obstacles at hand?

Technology is driving positive change

Breaking through the challenges the country faces, it is technology that emerges as a force for positive change.

Reflecting the sentiment I see with many customers, almost 9-in-ten (89 percent) say technology is a force for change within their organisation, with two thirds (64 percent) saying it has made a positive impact.

At a higher level, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of business leaders say technology is the key to overcoming the UK’s current challenges.

What next?

This really just scratches the surface of Technology in a Transforming Britain. The full report explores these critical themes in-depth, revealing the biggest socioeconomic challenges in eyes of business leaders and consumers, as well as the technology trends that will shape our future.

What’s clear is that, without the necessary action from UK businesses and public sector, we will find ourselves behind the curve with stifled workers and businesses.

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Read the Technology in a Transforming Britain report here for an in-depth view

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Rupal Karia

Head of Public & Private Sectors at Fujitsu UK & Ireland
Rupal leads Fujitsu's business serving public and private sector organisations in the UK, encompassing Retail, Hospitality, Public Sector & Government, Manufacturing, Utilities, Telecoms and Services.

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