47% of executives say security is top concern of mobile working

New research published by The Economist Intelligence Unit shows that the adoption of mobile technologies is altering the workplace. A majority of business executives surveyed say that mobile devices are changing the way employees work. Most say these technologies are enhancing productivity, with 86% saying the impact is either very or somewhat positive.

The research, sponsored by the Mopria Alliance, explores the impact of laptops, tablets and smartphones in offices around the world.

The research also found significant regional variation. Executives in Africa and the Middle East assign a higher relative importance to mobile over non-mobile technologies compared with their peers in the US and Europe. This suggests a “leapfrogging” effect—when new technologies allow people in certain regions to skip over stages others could not avoid.

The stumbling blocks of mobile technology are also clear: 47% of executives surveyed cite the need to maintain security across multiple devices as a key challenge in introducing mobile technologies to a company.

Frieda Klotz, the editor of the report, said: “Mobile technologies have the potential to transform how we work—but firms need to be thoughtful about the way they introduce them. Progress doesn’t happen all at once. Businesses need to include the right security measures and training for staff, as they navigate the transition between old and new ways of working.”

Paper also remains a presence in many workplaces. Although 61% thought that mobile screen-only information would increase in the coming years, nearly three quarters of executives (74%) say paper is still very or somewhat important to their employees’ job performance.