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The use of technology for social collaboration and networking isn’t yet a strength at most organizations, but executives and employees predict that their proficiency in it will grow quickly, according to a study by a global advisory firm.

Executives predict a 66% boost in social collaboration proficiency in the next three years

The results of a survey by Oxford Economics, released today, show that today, only 42% of executives and 39% of employees agree that their company encourages collaboration across teams, as it relates to their organization’s culture of learning.

However, executives and employees both predicted significant growth in their social collaboration proficiency in just the next three years – a 66% boost for executives and a 57% increase for employees.

The global study, which included survey responses from over 5,400 employees and executives in 27 countries, revealed that companies recognize the importance of managing an increasingly international, diverse, and mobile workforce, but most organizations currently lack the strategy, culture, and solutions to do so. Two-thirds of businesses haven’t made significant progress towards building a workforce that will meet future objectives.

The results of the research serve as a call to action, a report outlining the results said. “To gain advantage in the future, businesses must understand the workforce of tomorrow and its importance to bottom-line success – today,” said Edward Cone, managing editor of thought leadership at Oxford Economics.

Among its recommendations, the report advised organizations to:

  • Prepare for increasing diversity, changing employee demographics, and evolving definitions of work
  • Gain a better understanding of incoming Millennial employees
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning that develops talent and empowers workers while capturing and retaining vital knowledge

One key for businesses seeking to empower their workers, the research suggested, is to capitalize on new social, mobile, and collaboration technologies to create an environment that inspires individuals to contribute with more initiative and passion. The most successful businesses will be those that best promote social collaboration, connectivity, and collective intelligence among their employees.

For individuals, what matters is the ability to join forces with people across all levels and departments in the organization and even outside it – by using cloud computing, collaboration platforms, and social networking – the research suggested. Platforms that use social technology to connect people with information and business processes – instead of within standalone collaboration silos – may drive even deeper business transformation.

Follow SAP Social Software on Twitter: @SAPSocial

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