--- description: Learn how businesses can carry out technology adoption while prioritising employee satisfaction and why this matters. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: Balancing technology adoption and employee satisfaction --- # Research: 4 insights for improved technology adoption and employee satisfaction Canonical: https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/4553/technology-adoption-and-employee-satisfaction Published on 07/03/2024 | Written by Eduardo Garcia. ![Research: 4 insights for improved technology adoption and employee satisfaction](https://images.ctfassets.net/63bmaubptoky/3PjFIrkwzFw4Q6qvsrkD0f/5f8269211245d502f413d238cf13c076/Insights_for_improved_technology_adoption_in_the_workplace-_UK-_Capterra-_Header.png) > As businesses deploy new technologies to remain competitive, the successful adoption of these tools relies on more than strategic planning: it hinges on employee satisfaction. How can businesses balance innovation with workforce preferences for a smoother transition to a digitally empowered workforce? ----- ## Article Content As businesses deploy new technologies to remain competitive, the successful adoption of these tools relies on more than strategic planning: it hinges on employee satisfaction. How can businesses balance innovation with workforce preferences for a smoother transition to a digitally empowered workforce?In this article1. Most employees are satisfied with company technology but challenges exist2. Employees should play a key role in software purchase decisions in the workplace3. Technology can create generational divides, but it can also bridge them4. Businesses should maximise the benefits of tech adoption and leverage emerging technologiesKey considerations for successful technology adoptionTechnological advancements drive change for many businesses. This can prompt companies to embrace new technologies to stay competitive, comply with data privacy regulations, and ensure business continuity, among other factors. However, with numerous technological solutions available, businesses may feel overwhelmed. At times, this can even lead to companies regretting the purchases they make. Therefore, they may need guidance to develop the right strategy and tools for adapting to transformation within their organisation.Importantly, tech adoption involves more than just the decisions made by CTOs or managers. Employee acceptance and engagement when deploying these tools are crucial. Yet, as with any change, there may be employee scepticism towards specific tools. This can hinder a company’s return on investment (ROI) because team members may not be willing to use the tool or invest in using it properly. Consequently, companies should be selective in their software purchases and consider employee preferences during this process. But what criteria can they use to select software that meets employee demands? Capterra conducted a global survey in seven countries across a total sample of 2,760 participants about their technology experience at work and software preferences. In this study, we analysed 405 employees from the UK and found four key insights. The full methodology can be found at the end of the article.1. Most employees are satisfied with company technology but challenges exist Given the importance of technology adoption, businesses should consider multiple factors to ensure that the tools they select provide a positive ROI. These include ensuring that the workforce using these technologies is satisfied with their quality. The vast majority (87%) of employees surveyed say they say they are satisfied with the technology they use at work. However, challenges in technology adoption persist, with 27% of employees feeling overwhelmed by the amount of technology required for their jobs.Did you know?According to the data, 42% of boomers surveyed say they are overwhelmed by technology, while only 26% of Gen Z share the sentiment, indicating a clear generational gap. This underscores the necessity for tailored support and resources catering to different age groups. Gen Z are often dubbed “digital natives”, as they grew up immersed in technology. Boomers, however, faced a steeper learning curve, having entered the workforce before technology became ubiquitous. To address this, companies can designate experts to assist team members in navigating new technologies, providing support and clarifying doubts.Businesses might see value in adopting new technologies, but it is crucial to ensure employees are comfortable with them and that there’s a genuine demand. A majority (60%) of surveyed employees say their company provides them with over five different technologies at work. However, there is a disparity between the number of technologies provided and the level of utilisation. While 80% of employees say they use most or all of the technologies at their workplace, that still leaves 20% who say they use half or less. SMEs should address these potential inefficiencies in resource allocation by assessing the alignment of technology provision with actual employee needs. Additionally, companies should close gaps in employee training to optimise the utilisation of available technologies and maximise the value derived from technology investments. 2. Employees should play a key role in software purchase decisions in the workplaceEven though over a quarter of respondents feel overwhelmed by the amount of technology their companies require them to be familiar with, it doesn’t deter them from supporting new deployments. A majority (92%) of respondents emphasise the importance of continuous adoption of the latest technology for productivity However, one in five respondents consider that their company’s current investment in technology is insufficient and takes opportunities away from the company. Some employees desire technology to boost productivity. However, they can also feel overwhelmed by the abundance of tools at work. This may raise concerns about prioritising quantity over quality and employee input in software adoption.Over half (51%) of surveyed employees feel that their preferences are not considered by their companies when introducing new technologies or software in the workplace. As a result of feeling that their preferences are often overlooked, employees may experience frustration and disengagement. Businesses should address employee overwhelm by prioritising employee preference and actively involving them in the technology adoption process. This can be done by encouraging employees to provide feedback via surveys or internal communication channels.What do employees actually want when it comes to technology?To ensure successful technology adoption, SMEs must consider several key factors. According to our surveyed employees, user-friendliness and compatibility with remote work are critical aspects they value in technology solutions.Additionally, when asked what changes they would make in regards to the current technology they use at work, employees wanted:Faster, more powerful devices (59%)Better IT support (39%)Better training and onboarding resources (38%)Providing these resources is essential to help employees effectively utilise new technologies and maximise their potential impact on business operations. There are numerous ways employees would like technology to help them at work. These include:Handling routine tasks (66%) - Tools such as machine learning,  generative AI and robotic process automation to streamline repetitive workflows.Handling analytical tasks (57%) - Employees can leverage Business Intelligence (BI)  tools and data analytics platforms to derive valuable insights from data. Helping organise and plan their day (45%)-  Employees can benefit from using calendar and scheduling apps, along with project management software to stay organised and efficient.Helping to learn and grow professionally (40%)-  Online learning and training platforms and management systems can help employees enhance their skills and knowledge. 3. Technology can create generational divides, but it can also bridge themAmong the challenges businesses and employees may encounter in technology adoption, we have seen that there are occasional differences in perceptions between older generations and younger generations of employees. A quarter of employees surveyed (26%) think technology introduces friction and a generational divide in the workplace. Different generations may have varying levels of familiarity and comfort with technology, leading to potential friction or resistance to change. A majority (66%) of respondents who agree that there is a generational divide in the workplace due to technology cite resistance to change as a cause of friction and generational division when adopting new technologies. So, how can businesses mitigate this? Here are some tips to overcome this challenge:Implement strategies that promote cross-generational collaboration and communication: With 80% acknowledging that different levels of familiarity with the technology can contribute to generational divides leveraging diverse skill sets and perspectives can ease technology adoption. By incorporating employees across different generations, organisations can foster a more seamless integration of technology.Provide regular training programs and learning resources: Nearly half (48%) signal that generational friction at work can be caused by different levels of training and support being needed to adopt new technology. Comprehensive technology training, personalised support, and consideration of generational differences can help employees feel more confident and competent using new technologies.Implement user-friendly technology: When selecting software, the usability of the tool is an important factor. Just under half (43%) of employees surveyed say that working with technology with a bad user interface is a major challenge at work. Software solutions that are difficult to use can trigger employee frustration and drive these users to avoid using these tools if possible. Furthermore, this can contribute to creating friction at work. For 71% of boomers, getting used to new technology is one of the biggest challenges when using tech at work.  This is compared to only 29% of Gen Z respondents, 33% of millennials and 47% of Gen X. Given that 60% of those who believe technology causes friction and generational divides say that implementing user-friendly technology can reduce this friction, companies should consider this when adopting technology. When selecting software, managers should ensure that the solution is as easy to use as possible and that employees have adequate resources to learn how to use the software effectively. Here are some points to consider when evaluating if a solution is user-friendly:Is the program intuitive and easy to navigate?Is it responsive and fast to load?Is it accessible to accommodate different types of users and devices?Does it have search functionality to improve usability?4. Businesses should maximise the benefits of tech adoption and leverage emerging technologies Despite the challenges, embracing technology offers numerous benefits for businesses and their employees. Many employees recognise the advantages of technology, for example, in allowing remote work (67%), facilitating the sharing and analysis of data (56%), and enhancing collaboration across teams and time zones (50%). However, businesses should also leverage emerging technologies to help employees enhance productivity while remaining agile and competitive. Emerging technologies and features can hold significant promise for SMEs and these technologies can improve work quality and productivity. By strategically adopting and integrating emerging technologies into their operations, SMEs can unlock new opportunities for innovation and efficiency. Some emerging technologies that surveyed employees think can improve work quality or productivity are:Automation (49%) - By streamlining repetitive tasks, employees can free up time to focus on more complex and value-added activities that can increase their efficiency. Fast bandwidth like 5G (49%) - Access to fast and reliable bandwidth can enable seamless communication, faster data transfer and enhanced connectivity, allowing employees to leverage cloud-based applications and remote work tools. Advanced communication and collaboration tools (34%) - Utilising concepts such as hybrid meeting rooms - which allow both in-office and remote team members to join the same meeting - can foster efficient communication and collaboration among dispersed teams. There are also tools that exist to create hybrid events that combine in-person events with virtual online components.Artificial Intelligence (33%) - Integrating AI technologies, such as machine learning algorithms, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, and natural language processing, can automate data analysis, personalise customer interactions, and optimise business processes, increasing productivity and innovation within organisations.Key considerations for successful technology adoptionWhen selecting technology solutions, SMEs should prioritise solutions that align with their specific business goals and requirements. Scalability, flexibility, and compatibility with existing systems are crucial considerations to ensure that technology investments deliver long-term value and support business growth. However, during this process, they must cater to the needs of their employees using this technology. By prioritising employee preferences, fostering cross-generational collaboration and learning, and tailoring technology solutions to business needs, companies can unlock the full potential of technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.Looking for customer change management software? Check out our catalogue\! ## Disclaimer > MethodologyCapterra’s 2024 Generational Tech Preferences Survey was conducted in January 2024 among 2,760 respondents in the US, UK, Spain, Germany, Mexico, France, and the Netherlands to learn more about preferences for technology that employees use at work and the differences between generations. Respondents were screened to confirm that they are full-time employed and use technology at work at least once a week. For the purposes of this article, we have analysed data from the sample of 405 UK respondents. ## About the author ### Eduardo Garcia Eduardo is a Content Analyst for the UK. Providing research and digital tech tips for SMBs. MA in Journalism and in Diplomatic Studies. 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