In a comprehensive survey conducted by US tech company Adobe, it has been disclosed that poor technology tools are substantially impeding productivity in the workplace. An alarming 93% of leaders and 87% of employees concurred that inferior technology negatively affects productivity, with leaders admitting to losing two to four hours daily due to technological inadequacies, translating to a staggering loss of up to 25 weeks or six months per working year.
The ‘Future of Digital Work: India’ report, encompassing insights from 626 leaders in directorial or senior positions and 1,385 employees, highlighted the critical role technology plays in influencing workers’ decisions. Notably, 40% of employees are contemplating leaving their jobs within the next six months due to technology constraints hindering productivity. For full-time remote workers, this figure surges to a concerning 57%.
Moreover, the report delves into the persistence of paper-based work despite the widespread adoption of digital technologies. A significant 55% of knowledge workers revealed that at least half of their work remains paper-based, underscoring the coexistence of traditional and digital practices in today’s workplaces.
Digital literacy emerged as a key aspect, with 82% of knowledge workers acknowledging the essential role of digital technologies in their day-to-day work. Notably, 8 in 10 rate their digital literacy higher than the global average.
The study also sheds light on the adoption of generative AI, emphasizing its positive impact on efficiency and quality of work processes. While 88% of knowledge workers and 94% of leaders believe their companies should leverage generative AI, barriers such as security concerns, executive resistance, and a lack of comprehensive understanding hinder its widespread adoption.
Girish Balachandran, Senior Director and Head of Digital Media Business at Adobe India, emphasized the need for organizational preparedness to keep pace with technological innovations. He expressed optimism about forging a future where technology empowers productivity, reshaping work dynamics for unprecedented levels of achievement and fulfillment.