While smartphones, tablets, and other digital technologies have made workers’ lives easier, a new GfK study shows that the effects have been decidedly mixed. Employees report facing a variety of tech-related obstacles at work -- but also hold out hope that some devices and services will ease their pain.

The research was conducted in November and December 2018 among 2,375 knowledge workers – broadly defined as employees who use a non-shared PC every day for work.

GfK’s research shows that three job-related challenges create the most frustration for these employees:

  • managing passwords (cited by 60% of respondents as either a major or minor frustration)
  • organizing a total life schedule of personal and work commitments (59%)
  • sifting through and prioritizing emails on a daily basis (53%)

Among the 14 challenges covered in the research, four were cited as major or minor frustrations by at least 50% of knowledge workers, while the other 10 were mentioned by 44% or more. Three of the top six challenges are related to keeping up with emails, messages, and other work communications.

GfK also asked knowledge workers which of six emerging technologies – including artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) – might be most helpful in taking on everyday work problems. Roughly two-thirds (63%) of respondents said that using voice input for computers and smartphones was interesting or very interesting.

Coming in a close second (61%) among the solutions was a smartphone with a flexible screen that can be folded or expanded, followed by two different ways of using AI to analyze different aspects of work and make recommendations (55% for each).

The AI-based options, however, may be hampered by concerns about the safety and security of data and personal information. GfK – using its own syndicated assets Consumer Life and AutoMobility, in addition to other sources – generally has found elevated concern about data privacy among consumers.

The new GfK study also found that

  • knowledge workers in mid-size companies (100 to 999 employees) are more likely to report a wider range of challenges than those in smaller (1 to 99) or larger (1,000+) firms
  • parents with children under 18 in the home feel the various work frustrations more acutely – and are more open to tech-oriented solutions, compared to those without kids
  • Baby Boomers say they are less likely than their younger coworkers to feel many of these challenges – a fact attributable in part to the fact that they are also less likely to be digitally connected

About GfK

GfK connects data and science. Innovative research solutions provide answers for key business questions around consumers, markets, brands and media – now and in the future. As a research and analytics partner, GfK promises its clients all over the world “Growth from Knowledge”.

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