The 2017 Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey reveals that, despite economic and political uncertainty having an impact on organisations' technology strategies, the situation is in fact contributing towards an increase in digital innovation.
According to MSP Claranet, this finding highlights the fact that such uncertainty can be a positive for businesses that are prepared to go the extra mile to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
According to the report, 64 per cent of CIOs polled said the current climate of uncertainty is affecting how they approach their technology strategies.
However, far from retreating into their shells, an overwhelming 89 per cent said they are either maintaining or increasing investment in innovation.
For Claranet, this shows that uncertainty should be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Michel Robert, UK MD at Claranet, said: "With political and economic turmoil still well and truly in full swing, a common knee-jerk reaction can be to embrace an austere approach to technology adoption, in order to save on costs and consolidate the company's position in the market. However, what this report shows is that the opposite may well be the best course of action.
"Regardless of the economic and political climate, the priority for any business leader should be working out how best to get ahead of their competitors. If anything, such external challenges mean that organisations need to think of fresh ways of doing things as a matter of course. It's a time to experiment with new approaches."