International Technology Adoption & Workforce Issues Study - Japan Summary

International Technology Adoption & Workforce Issues Study Summary for Japan

About this ResearchCompTIA’s International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study was conducted to collect and share information on technology adoption and workforce trends across several countries. The objectives of this research include: • Explore business and information technology (IT) priorities among organizations• Examine the usage of key technologies/solutions and IT services such as security and cloud computing• Identify which IT skills are most important to employers and if there are any skills gap issues or staffing concerns• Evaluate professional development practices such as training and certification The data for this study was collected via a quantitative online survey conducted February 22 to March 23, 2013 among 1,256 IT and business executives directly involved in setting or executing information technology policies and processes within their organizations. The 10 countries covered in this study include: Brazil (n=125); Canada (n=125); France (n=125); Germany (n=131); India (n=125); Japan (n=125); Mexico (n=125); Middle East Subset (Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) (n=125); Thailand (n=125); United Kingdom (n=125)

Surveys were localized and translated to allow respondents to participate in their native language. Additionally, precautions were taken to minimize misinterpretations of questions. However, research has shown, cultural differences exist and can affect responses to certain question types, such as 5-point satisfaction rating questions. Viewers of this report should keep that in mind when comparing results across countries.

The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.8 percentage points. Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data, such as individual countries where it is +/- 8.9 percentage points. As with any survey, sampling error is only one source of possible error. While non-sampling error cannot be accurately calculated, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of the survey design, collection and processing of the data to minimize its influence. Note: because data collection occurred via an online survey, in countries where Internet penetration is lower among businesses, the non-sampling error could be higher. CompTIA is responsible for all content contained in this series. Any questions regarding the study should be directed to CompTIA Market Research staff at [email protected]. CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and adheres to the MRA’s Code of Market Research Ethics and Standards.

Key IT Priorities for Japanese Businesses:1. IT security2. Data storage/back-up3. Mobility related initiatives4. Network infrastructure5. Data analytics/business intelligence /big data

Key Summary Points: JapanKey Stats for Japan

$36,200 GDP per capita (PPP) | world rank: 36th

1.58% GDP growth forecast for 2013

34% % of Japanese executives expecting 2013 business conditions to be better than 2012

65.27m Total workforce

70% % of workforce employed in the services sector

1.43m Estimate of IT workforce* in core IT occupations

15% % of Japanese executives expecting to increase IT staff headcount at their business in 2013

99.182m Internet users | world rank: 3rd

132.76m Mobile phone users | world rank: 7th

46% NET % of Japanese executives indicating IT is important to the success of their business

1.8% Planned increase in IT spending in 2013 (YOY)

Key Strategic Priorities for Japanese Businesses:1. Reduce costs/overhead2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities3. Reach new customers

Cybersecurity:55% of Japanese executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is increasing. Additionally, 34% of Japanese executives believe human error is a growing factor in security security incidents: Top human error related factors include:1. Intentional disabling of security2. Lack of security expertise with networks, servers etc.

IT Skills Gaps:95% of Japanese executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. For 18%, the reported skills gaps are small, while for 77% the gaps are more extensive. Top negative effects of IT skills gaps at Japanese businesses: 1. Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.2. Lower staff productivity

IT Training and Certification:72% of IT staff at Japanese businesses engaged in some type of IT training during the past 12 months.1. 58% of Japanese executives believe IT certifications will increase in

importance over the next two years; 37% believe IT certifications’ importance will remain constant

2. 48% of Japanese executives believe it’s important to test after training to confirm knowledge gains

Sources used for above stats: CompTIA, IMF, CIA World Factbook, IDC

*See appendix for definition of core IT occupations

Detailed Findings: Business and Technology Issues

Strategic Priorities Include Tech Component

Base: 1,244 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK

Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

20%

76%

41%46%

OverallJapan

Top Strategic Priorities Among Japanese Businesses for 2013

NET Unimportant

NET Important

Neutral

1. Reduce costs/overhead

2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities

3. Reach new customers

4. Innovate more effectively

5. Leverage technology to improve business

operations

34% of Japanese executives in this CompTIA survey say business conditions are improving and expect 2013 to be better than 2012.

52% expect to increase their expenditure on IT products and services over the next 12 months.

Importance of Technology to Japanese Business Success

Most Businesses Seek to Improve Their Use of IT

Not at all close

Not that close

Moderately close

Very close

Exactly where_x000d_ want to be

7%

25%

37%

29%

2%

Degree to Which Japanese Businesses are “Where They Want

to Be” in Technology Utilization

1. IT security

2. Data storage/back-up

3. Mobility related initiatives

4. Network infrastructure

5. Data analytics/big data/business intelligence

6. Virtualization

7. Cloud computing

8. Updating aging computers/software

9. Web/online presence/e-commerce

Top Technology Priorities Over Next 12 Months for Japanese Businesses

Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

Nearly Half of Japanese Businesses have Adopted Cloud Computing to Some Degree

22% 21%

39%

17%

31%

23%

44%

2%

OverallJapan

Key Hurdles to Cloud Adoption for Japanese Businesses

Cloud Computing Adoption Stage

Full use stage

Experi-mentation

stage

Evalu- ation or Investi-gation stage

Basic aware-

ness stage

42% Security or data loss concerns

30% Challenges in developing staff expertise/ experience with cloud applications/solutions

26% Insufficient/unclear ROI

26% Cloud services still unproven/untested

18% Slow/unreliable internet access

14% Difficulty in integrating or migrating legacy applications to the cloud

14% Lack of local cloud service providers

11% Unclear/costly government regulation related to using the cloud



Cybersecurity Risks a Growing Concern

Decreasing significantly

Decreasing moderately

No change

Increasing moderately

Increasing significantly

1%

2%

27%

44%

26%

1%

2%

41%

48%

JapanOverall

Overall, 55% of Japanese Businesses Believe the Security Threat Level

has Increased during Past Two Years1 Continued use of legacy operating systems, web

browsers, etc.

2 Rise of social networking

3 Sophistication of security threats exceeding IT staff's expertise to thwart them

4 Volume of security threats exceeding capacity to thwart them

5 More reliance on Internet-based applications, i.e. cloud computing, software-as-a-service

6 Challenges in finding or training employees with security expertise

Top Factors Cited by Japanese Businesses for Increasing Security Risks



7%

Human Error an Increasing Security Risk Factor for about a Third of Japanese Firms

66%

34%

NET increase in human error as a security risk factor

NET no change or decrease in human error as a security factor

Top Drivers of Human Error as an Rising Security Risk Factor

Assessment of Human Error as a Security Risk Factor

1. Intentional disabling of security to allow for use of a non-approved application, to download a file, access a website, etc.

2. Lack of security expertise with networks, servers and other infrastructure

3. Failure of IT staff to follow security procedures and policies

4. General negligence / carelessness towards security

5. Inadequate resources - not enough IT staff time to manage security threats

6. Increased use of social media by staff


Detailed Findings: IT Training and Certification Issues

4 out of 5 Japanese Businesses Intend to Keep the Status Quo with Regard to Hiring IT Staff in 2013; Most Expect Challenges

in Finding Workers

Decrease in IT staff

No_x000d_ change

Increase in IT staff

5%

56%

39%

6%

79%

15%

Overall

Japan

49%

51%

NET concerned* about IT labor quantity or quality

NET not that concerned about IT labor quantity or quality

Concern Over Ability to Hire IT Staff2013 Hiring Intent for IT Staff



Many Businesses Seek Improvement on the IT Skills Front

Not at all close

Not that close

Moderately close

Very close

Exactly where_x000d_ want to be

5%

25%

47%

18%

5%

Assessment of how Close Japanese Businesses are to

Where They Want to be with the IT Skills of Their IT Staff 30% Security / defending against

malware, hacking, etc.

29% Staff productivity

22% Lower sales/profitability

22% Speed to market with new products or services

21% Poor customer service/customer engagement

Top Negative Impacts of IT Skills Gaps


IT Skills Rating Among Japanese Businesses

1. Motivation and initiative

2. Strong work ethic

3. Teamwork

4. Verbal and written communication skills

5. Flexibility and adaptability

6. Project management

7. Customer service

8. Analytical skills

9. Innovation / Creative problem solving

Top Rated “Soft” IT Skills1. Networks / Infrastructure

2. Database / Information management

3. Server / data center management

4. Security / Cybersecurity

5. Data analytics/Business intelligence

6. Help Desk / IT support

7. Printers, copiers, multifunction devices

8. Storage/data back-up

9. Customer relationship management (CRM)

10. Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

11. Mobile phones/smartphones

Top Rated IT Skills in Terms of the Importance of Maintaining a High Skill Level Among IT staff

Keep in mind, many emerging technologies, such as cloud or mobility, are important to businesses, but it may not yet be the highest priority to ensure a high level of IT staff expertise. As businesses move along the adoption curve and engage in more advanced uses of cloud and mobility, staff expertise in those areas increases. Additionally, in some areas such as security, businesses may rely on outside experts for guidance, so building internal skills could be a lower priority.


Types of Training/Education Utilized by IT Staff in Past 12 Months

No training or education

Some other type of training

Webinars / Online presentation_x000d_ from an instructor or expert

Reading industry news, technical journals, etc.

E-learning / Online self-directed training

Additional college coursework

Attending industry conferences, workshops, etc.

Training course with an instructor /_x000d_ Classroom instruction

11%

8%

30%

24%

40%

23%

38%

45%

28%

7%

18%

16%

29%

10%

28%

25%

JapanOverall



Policy Towards the Use of IT Certifications

No formal or informal position_x000d_ towards the use of IT certifications

Informal – not required,_x000d_ but valued and encouraged

Formal – IT certifications_x000d_ required for certain IT staff

21%

37%

34%

35%

37%

18%

JapanOverall



Majority of Japanese Businesses Expect IT Certifications to Increase in Importance

Significant Increase in Importance

Increase in Importance

NET Decrease

NET Increase in Importance

No Change

48% “It’s important to test after training to confirm knowledge gains”

46% “Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise”

45% “Staff holding IT certifications are more valuable to the organization”

41% “Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge”

NET Agreement (agree + strongly agree) to Statements

Expectations for Change in Importance of IT Certifications

Over Next Two Years


37%

52%

0.06

Perceptions of Certification

Retention is higher among staff with IT certifications than non-certified staff

The organization is more secure from malware and hackers due to staff with IT certifications

Staff with IT certifications perform at a_x000d_ higher level than non-certified staff

Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge

Staff holding IT certifications are_x000d_ more valuable to the organization

Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise

It’s important to test after training_x000d_ to confirm knowledge gains

26%

30%

22%

22%

24%

23%

21%

40%

34%

37%

34%

28%

29%

30%

31%

32%

38%

41%

45%

46%

48%

NET Disagree Neutral NET Agree


Appendix

Defining Core IT Occupations

• Computer Support Specialists• Software Developers, Applications• Computer Systems Analysts• Software Developers, Systems Software• Network and Computer Systems Administrators• Computer Programmers• Computer and Information Systems Managers• Information Security Analysts, Web Dev., and Computer Network Architects• Computer Occupations, All Other• Database Administrators• Computer Hardware Engineers• Computer and Information Research Scientists• Computer Support Specialists

For the purposes of this study, core IT occupations include positions related to the list below. In this study, certain telecommunications occupations were excluded, such as positions responsible for installing or maintaining cellular towers. Additionally, this study excludes ‘knowledge worker’ type positions, such as technical writer, graphic designer or business analyst.

com

ptia

.org

Want to know more?

As the voice of the IT industry, CompTIA has hundreds of tools, market intelligence reports and business training programs to help IT organizations grow through education, certification, advocacy and philanthropy.

Check it out at www.comptia.org.

Want to know about our research on the IT workforce?

Visit http://www.comptia.org/research/it-workforce.aspx.

http://www.comptia.org/

http://www.comptia.org/research/it-workforce.aspx

http://www.comptia.org/research/it-workforce.aspx