Press releases

Figures released today suggest that ‘cyber cynicism’ is taking hold across UK organisations, as employers fail to capitalise on the business benefits offered by technology.  The data, issued by the Chartered Management Institute, confirms long-held views about ‘internet policing’ and indicates that the failure to allow widespread use of technology will hinder UK business in the long-run.

Based on qualitative and quantitative research of almost 1,000 managers aged 35 and under, the research reveals that employers view Internet activity as a ‘massive timewaster’.  Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) monitor employee internet access and the same proportion (65 per cent) block ‘inappropriate’ websites.   A significant number (18 per cent) also retain tight control over access by imposing curfews on internet usage.

This high level of policing comes against a backdrop of enthusiasm for Internet-based applications amongst employees.  Asked to highlight why they want to use the Internet, the majority focused on its use ‘for professional development’ (72 per cent).  Over half (59 per cent) claimed freedom to use the Internet is ‘useful for research’ and 43 per cent argued it helps ‘for doing work’.  Interestingly, just 41 per cent of the managers questioned focused on the Internet as a ‘social space’.

The data, published in association with Ordnance Survey, also reveals different usage patterns according to age group.  For example, 67 per cent of those under 25 have ‘read a forum’ in the past 3 months, compared to just 51 per cent of those aged over 30.  Two-thirds (69 per cent) of those aged 25 or under have watched videos online (work or otherwise), compared to 54 per cent of individuals aged 30 plus.  With evidence also suggesting respondents want to use business networking sites such as LinkedIn (6 per cent for both managers and students), the implication is that employers must change their attitude towards technology, or risk alienating their future managers and leaders.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: “Younger managers are growing up with much greater familiarity of technology and are comfortable using technologies such as mobile video, TV on-demand, or information services such as Google and Wikipedia.  Quite clearly, organisations need to harness the comfort levels these individuals have with Internet-based resources, because failure to do so will lead to frustration and the loss of top talent at best, or worse, an open door for competitors to build advantage through a better equipped and enabled workforce.”

Analysis of the data confirms that many respondents believe their enthusiasm for web-based technology is not yet matched by employers.  Just 4 per cent claim their organisation ‘falls in love with the latest trend’ and 49 per cent say their employer only ‘takes up things once they’re tried and tested’.  Worryingly 16 per cent go as far as describing their employer as ‘dinosaurs’. 

Asked to elaborate on ‘corporate usage’ it becomes clear that many UK organisations are slow to adopt new Internet (Web 2.0) technology.  Although 95 per cent use email or communicate with staff via intranets (81 per cent) only small proportions are happy to use web-based applications such as Google Docs (39 per cent), organisational message boards (19 per cent) or web-casting (9 per cent).

Jan Hutchinson, director of HR & corporate services at Ordnance Survey, says: “The low level adoption of new technology is in tandem with employers’ belief that Internet usage is a ‘time waster’.  It’s something that must be looked at because the longer this situation is allowed to remain unchallenged, the greater the likelihood UK employers will fall behind their international competitors.”

Today’s findings have been published in the wake of wider research showing how so-called ‘new media’ learning is growing in popularity.  A report called ‘Learning at Work: evolution or revolution’ revealed that 51 per cent of directors now say they use online videos to develop new skills (up from 21 per cent 12 months ago) and one-third (34 per cent) also use social networking sites to boost their knowledge, compared to just 12 per cent, last year.

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Further information:
Mike Petrook, Institute Press Office
Tel: 020 7497 0496; outside office hours: 07931 302 877
Email: press.office@managers.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS
As the champion of management, the Chartered Management Institute shapes and supports the managers of tomorrow, helping them deliver results in a dynamic world. The Institute helps set and raise standards in management, encouraging development to improve performance. Moreover, with in-depth research and regular policy surveys of its 81,000 individual members and 450 corporate members, the Institute has a deep understanding of the key issues.  The Chartered Management Institute came into being on 1 April 2002, as a result of the Institute of Management being granted a Royal Charter.

Ordnance Survey is Great Britain's national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals.