The technology divide: those with set to leave those without behind

An investigation sponsored jointly by Oracle, Cisco and the Institute of Directors has identified a gap developing between e-business 'haves' and 'have-nots'. The former are more likely to be experiencing good growth, while the latter are in danger of missing the opportunity altogether.

Too many UK directors, says the IoD, are still failing to understand the impact of internet technology on business, believing that it is 'someone else's job'.

Detailed findings are quite frightening:

• 50% of directors have never had a technology briefing
• 48% never intend to have one
• 32% help to specify IT without being briefed
• 8% admitted to making decisions on questionable data.

Overall, this study confirms others - recently reported in i-FM - showing that European companies are embracing e-business technology at a rapid rate. There are 'black spots', however, in both business sectors and locations. The UK generally is ahead of France and Germany but lags behind Finland and Sweden in take up. Italy is currently showing the fastest growth.

Summing up the need for a coherent strategy and concerted action, Chris Dedicoat, managing director of Cisco UK, observed: "Technology is no longer a facilitator to business - it is the business."

Elliott Chase