Over the next 12 months, 60pc of senior executives expect to increase the number of technology jobs, while 71pc are forecasting revenue growth. Despite this, confidence in the outlook for the technology sector overall is down on this time last year, according to the annual Eurocom Worldwide Survey out today, which involved interviews with more than 300 executives globally.
The online study of more than 318 executives was conducted in January and February 2012 and included Ireland. Circa 79pc of responses came from executives in European countries and 11pc from the Americas. The survey was carried out by Eurocom Worldwide along with Simpson Financial & Technology PR in Dublin.
Despite the euro debt crisis and global economic growth uncertainty, senior executives in global tech firms appear to be optimistic about growth in their own company’s jobs and revenues over the next 12 months.
Sixty per cent of respondents expect the business they work for to increase jobs, while 71pc forecast an increase in revenues.
However, less than half of respondents (46pc) are more confident about the outlook for the technology sector over the next 12 months. This is down from 61pc last year.
The survey is positive on the outlook for tech jobs. For instance, 60pc expect to increase employment. Last year’s figure was similar, at 57pc. Just 5pc expect to decrease headcount, in contrast to 9pc in 2011.
Tech skills gap
And the tech skills shortage is still an issue, with 30pc of respondents having indicated it is more difficult than last year to hire individuals with the right technology skills.
“Despite confidence in prospects for the technology sector in general falling from last year, senior executives remain upbeat about the outlook for their own businesses,” said Mads Christensen, network director of Eurocom Worldwide.
He said this was “remarkable” considering that the survey was conducted in January and February against a backdrop of continuing concern about the euro debt crisis and amid slowing GDP growth across many economies.
Spot trends?
Ronnie Simpson of Simpson FT PR pointed to two trends that could be happening. “Exciting new technologies in areas such as mobile and the cloud mean that there is a stronger case than ever for IT investment. Secondly, it is likely that deferred IT spend can no longer be delayed if organisations are to maintain competitiveness,” he said.
