Why Do Your Employees Resist New Tech?

The adoption and use of new technologies across organisations are difficult, slow and many time non-existent. This prevents updating the systems to the latest version, latest generation and hinders from achieving full potential.

As businesses have re-evaluated their business models in the wake of the epidemic and adopted new technologies to meet the market challenges and enabling employees to work from home.

This process is largely aided by various technology companies and their adoption by employees. these technology companies give away technology platforms for free or a nominal device and letting users play a major role in how these products are developed.

However, this technology adoption by employees is too slow and its effects are unclear.

Why is it that technology adoption is so difficult to achieve?

A survey by the Economic intelligence unit in 2019 indicated the following challenges in technology adoption - employee skills, lack of senior management awareness, organisational culture, Complexity, cost and risk, infrastructure, legacy systems and legacy approaches to innovation.

Without the right organisational culture supporting technology, any investments made in training and tools would be ineffective. There are five different aspects to help business leaders create a culture that will help drive a better, more effective adoption of technology.

Incentivize the use of technology

Monetary benefits to problems could lead to behavioural changes if managed properly. The same way periodical appraisals determine employee competence, it can be widened to include technology adoption scores. Most people readily adopt technology in their personal lives - mobiles, watches, apps that make their life more convenient and efficient. This shows that given the right incentives, they will adopt the technology in workplaces too.

Invest in infrastructure

Another requirement for creating a culture of technology is the infrastructure around it including the IT networks, systems, software, processes and practices. Without investment and thoughtful execution of new technologies, it is difficult to convince the employees of the benefits of new technology.

Make reskilling and learning part of the implementation plan

Learning and training go a long way in establishing the right culture for enabling technology. Most companies are already experiencing skill gap of expecting it in the next two years. Instead of enforcing new technologies on employees, train them and provide support to use the systems better and adopt them.

Don't make it piecemeal

Companies must have a long term strategy for the creation of a culture that encourages and embraces technology adoption. A piecemeal approach to tech adoption may work in short-term but will not lead to the creation of a digitally focused mindset and the legacy systems may continue to exist.

Understand external influences

Governments and their policies play an important role in fostering a culture of technology adoption. The appropriate signals from the highest level percolate down creating the right environment for technology to thrive. They lay a right groundwork and build ecosystems to attract tech investments and drive investments.

With increasing concerns of data flow across borders, governments will have to work closely with private players to ensure the sovereign interests are safeguarded.

Technology has the potential to build a positive culture and purpose. But technology, culture and purpose will need to become further integrated to build enduring companies and societies of the future.