Collaboration is key to operational success, says study

However, as a result, businesses are concerned about individual employees taking less ownership and responsibility for tasks. The survey – commissioned by business technology services provider Avanade and taking views from 500 C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders – shows that more than 80% of executives believe that enterprise-wide collaboration is now the key to success. It also reveals that businesses are enabling greater collaboration across globalised workforces and are empowering employees to solve business issues more efficiently through peer level collaboration. "Collaboration technologies are changing the business culture," asserts Tyson Hartman, global chief technology officer at Avanade. "In an age of real-time information and instant expectations, meaningful collaboration, that involves both people and technology, can mean the difference between success and failure... It allows companies to connect with employees, partners and customers in new ways that improve business performance." But it's not all plain sailing: some respondents are still wary of new issues created by greater collaboration. Concerns include employees dodging their responsibilities and leaving work to others in the group. Indeed, more than one in three (38%) respondents agree that people solve problems less on their own today, and instead rely on collaboration technologies by effectively asking other people. Other key findings, however, show that companies around the world are becoming more open to new technologies and are actively emphasising innovation and growth, even over cost savings. Across geographies and industries, respondents are reporting a gradual shift away from cost savings as a top priority, and a marked increase in pressure they feel to innovate.