Technological change is a double-edged sword for technology, media and telecoms CEOs, a survey suggests. The chief officers have concerns over skills and cyber security risks. That is according to audit firm PwC’s 19th Annual Global CEO Survey.
The worldwide survey found more technology leaders are concerned they won’t keep up with the increasing pace of technological change.
Tech CEOs view cyber security as more of a threat than other industries (average 61pc). Cyber has jumped from sixth to second place in the list of top threats for 76pc of tech leaders, rising from 65pc of CEOs a year ago.
According to PwC the survey findings reflect a growing shift away from a globalised world to a multipolar one. Almost 70pc of CEOs say their company will enter into a new strategic alliance or joint venture over the next 12 months, while around a third are looking to streamline operations through outsourcing business processes.
Comment
PwC’s UK and EMEA TMT Leader, Jass Sarai, said: “Never before have CEOs across these sectors experienced such complex challenges as they navigate the positives and negatives from the vast changes that technology has produced. They must manage their own digital transformations while pursuing innovation for the rest of the market. While the growth prospects across technology, communications and entertainment and media are huge, it is clear that a skilled and adaptable workforce is now more crucial than ever.”
About the PwC Global CEO Survey
For PwC’s 19th Annual Global CEO Survey, 1,322 interviews were in 77 countries during the last quarter of 2014. By region, 459 interviews were conducted in Asia Pacific, 455 in Europe, 147 in North America, 167 in Latin America, 49 in Africa and 45 in the Middle East. The full survey report can be downloaded at www.pwc.com/ceosurvey.
