New study shows that North American IT leaders are pessimistic about meeting key initiatives

ATLANTA – April 5, 2023 – Randstad announced today a new study that shows many organizations are facing serious challenges as they try to navigate the current tumultuous economic environment. Despite the recent rise in digitization and technology adoption, Randstad found that one-third of IT leaders are less confident in their ability to deliver on key initiatives. Respondents cited technology issues such as poor system performance, outdated and lack of technology as barriers to their success. 

Randstad surveyed over 750 IT decision-makers in both the United States and Canada to learn more about their priorities as many companies look to modernize their technology and focus on critical investments. An overwhelming majority, 90 percent of respondents, believe that technology is vital to their company heading in the right direction. Yet nearly half (44 percent) of IT leaders believe technology is only adequately or even underfunded at their organization. 

The study also found that while Canadian leaders had more confidence in their results than those in the US, there was more concern about the impact of talent shortages on their businesses. Twenty-one percent of Canadian IT decision-makers believed the shortages were extremely impactful on business goals versus 7 percent of US IT decision-makers.

Other key findings include the following:

  • Top concerns for IT leaders include cyber vulnerabilities, supply chain disruption, inflation and other economic factors.
  • Companies are still falling behind in using data for business decisions as over 60 percent do not rely strongly on their internal data and analytics.
  • Skill shortages are costly for businesses as CIOs cite a lack of skills as the biggest hindrance to digital transformation. These shortages have also been the cause of over 42 percent of organizations seeking external help.

“We believe that this research helps pinpoint what’s top of mind for IT leaders as they look to deliver on goals in organizations that are increasingly overwhelmed by complexity. To do this, leaders must recognize the need for talent-driven digital solutions in an environment where technology is no longer just a supporting function in an organization; it’s now driving businesses and economies,” said Graig Paglieri, CEO, Randstad Technologies, North America

“Digital transformation is set to remain at the heart of businesses during the next few decades, and urgent issues like talent scarcity and skills shortages have to be addressed. Technology on its own can’t innovate. Without the right talent, sustained digital transformation is not going to happen, leaving organizations unable to remain competitive in their industries,” continued Paglieri.

The study is available for download here

About Randstad

Randstad North America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Randstad N.V., the world’s largest talent company and a partner of choice to clients. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities to people from all backgrounds and helping them remain relevant in the rapidly changing world of work. We have a deep understanding of the labor market and help our clients to create the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed. 

Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. In 2022, in our 39 markets, we helped more than 2 million people find a job that feels good and advised over 230,000 clients on their talent needs. We generated revenue of €27.6 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. For more information, see www.randstad.com

Randstad's North American operations comprise 7,100 associates and a deployed workforce of 91,100 in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to staffing and recruitment, Randstad offers outsourcing, consulting and workforce management solutions for generalist and specialist disciplines, including technology, engineering, accounting and finance, clinical and non-clinical healthcare, human resources, legal, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics, office and administration and sales and marketing. Global concepts available to North American client companies include RPO, MSP, integrated talent solutions, payrolling and independent contractor management and career transition services. Learn more at www.randstadusa.com or www.randstad.ca.

Media contacts: 

Kiara Reynolds-Westry 

678.624.2472 

kiara.reynolds-westry@randstadusa.com