Companies that are less technologically advanced are at risk of falling behind the competition and not attracting top talent, claims a new global study from Aruba. By contrast, employees who work in digital workplaces are not only more productive but also more motivated, have higher job satisfaction, and report an overall better sense of well-being. The study, Digital Revolutionaries Unlock the Potential of the Digital Workplace, outlines both the business and human benefits of more digitally-driven workplaces, and how. Almost all respondents (97 percent) thought their workplace would be improved through greater use of technology, while 64 percent said their company will fall behind the competition if new technology isn’t implemented. The same portion (64 percent) believe the traditional office will become obsolete due to advances in technology. However, the survey also warns that companies must be vigilant as more digital-savvy employees are taking greater risks with data and information security.
The study of 7,000 employees across 15 countries revealed a clear chasm in employee performance and sentiment between more advanced digital workplaces and those that employ digital technology to a lesser degree.
A number of key themes emerged:
- Beyond productivity, digital toolsunlock human benefits: “Digital Revolutionaries” – employees identified as those who work in fully-enabled digital workplaces where new workplace technologies are in widespread use – were 51 percent more likely to have strong job satisfaction, and 43 percent more likely to be positive about their work-life balance than “Digital Laggards” – those who have less access to workplace technology. The Revolutionary employees were also 56 percent more likely to say they are motivated at work, and 83 percent more likely to praise their company’s vision.
- Digital working also supports professional development:65 percent of Revolutionaries reported they had seen professional development and growth through the use of digital technology, compared to just 31 percent of Laggards. With a digital workplace, 72 percent of Revolutionaries reported a higher ability to adopt new work skills as compared to 58 percent of Laggards.
- Productivity gains from digital technology quantified:73 percent of Digital Revolutionaries reported a positive impact to their productivity and 70 percent cited improved collaboration thanks to digital technologies, vs. 55 percent of laggards.
- Continued advancements in digital technology and automation pave the way for better workplace experiences: While automation can be perceived as a threat to job security, our research found that there was widespread enthusiasm for it. 71 percent of respondents said they would welcome a fully automated workplace in the next 5-10 years, allowing organizations to build smarter, more effective working environments.