Transcript Summary of Results with Regional Comparisons

Results for: North Carolina Technology Association
November, 2012
© 2012 Technology Councils of North America. All rights reserved.
www.technologycouncils.org
National Survey of Technology,
Policy and Strategic Issues
Research Methodology and Background
About TECNA | CompTIA | TechVoice
About TECNA
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents almost 50 IT and Technology trade
organizations who, in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North
America. TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its
regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry.
About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the
companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits
organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry
growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional
certifications, and public policy advocacy.
About TechVoice
TechVoice is a newly-formed partnership of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the
Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and participating regional technology associations.
Collectively, we represent thousands of technology companies across the country employing millions of
workers. We are dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the grassroots tech community to impact
legislative and regulatory issues important to growth, innovation and job creation.
About This Research
The data for this quantitative study was collected via an online survey conducted during October 2012. A total
of 1,082 senior (C-level) U.S. IT and business executives belonging to one of the regional technology
associations affiliated with the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) participated in the survey. This
report contains data specific to the North Carolina Technology Association. The sample size for this segment is
38.
The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the overall results is +/- 3.0 percentage points.
Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data.
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.
The study was conducted in conjunction with the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and conforms to its guidelines for survey
best practices and research ethics. Any questions about the research methodology or data collection can be
directed to [email protected].
Profile of Survey Respondents
Industry Sector of Survey Respondent
Information technology (IT) or telecommunications
Professional services (non IT)
Healthcare/Medical
Media/Publishing/Entertainment
Financial/Banking/Insurance
Education
Advanced manufacturing (non IT sector)
Life sciences
Environmental or energy technology
Retail/Wholesale
Government (federal, state, local)
AMTUC (Agriculture, Mining, Transportation, Utilities, Construction)
Hospitality/Food/Beverage
Advanced materials
Other industry sector
Overall
43%
9%
6%
6%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
1%
1%
0%
0%
7%
North Carolina
66%
3%
3%
3%
0%
0%
5%
0%
8%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
8%
Overall
34%
15%
18%
15%
3%
15%
North Carolina
11%
18%
21%
21%
8%
21%
Total Number of Employees at Firm of Survey Respondent
Less than 10
10 to 24
25 to 99
100 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more employees
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,082 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Geographic Segmentation Categories
This report contains a number comparisons among geographic regions. The following
groupings are based on standard U.S. Census Bureau categorizations.
Northeast (n=267)
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Connecticut Technology Council
Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC)
New Hampshire High Tech Council
New Jersey Technology Council
New York Technology Council
Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies
Pittsburgh Technology Council
Midwest (n=279)
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Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
Northeast Ohio Software Association
Minnesota High Tech Association
Technology Association of Iowa
Wisconsin Technology Council
South (n=234)
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Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
Louisiana Technology Council
Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC)
North Carolina Technology Association
Northern Virginia Technology Council
Technology Association of Georgia
West (n=298)
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Arizona Technology Council
Technology Association of Oregon
Utah Technology Council
Washington Technology Industry Association
Section 1: Business Sentiment
Business Sentiment Rating
Rating on a 100-point scale | 100=highest | 0=Lowest
61 63 61
63
61
64 66
67 68 68
Northeast
Midwest
46 47 46 47 48
South
West
North Carolina
U.S. Economy
Rating
Tech Sector
Rating
My Company
Rating
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,076 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Expected Changes in Business Investments
Percent indicating a planned increase in investment over next 6 months
North
Region
Midwest
Region
South
Region
West
Region
North
Carolina
Investments in new products or business
lines
59%
58%
53%
64%
55%
Staffing levels in technical positions (e.g.
engineers, programmers, help desk, etc.)
59%
56%
54%
59%
63%
Marketing/advertising expenditures
57%
52%
48%
56%
39%
Technology expenditures
53%
55%
46%
54%
53%
Staffing levels in non-technical positions
(e.g. sales, marketing, project management,
etc.)
51%
49%
47%
55%
50%
Staff training or professional development
44%
41%
36%
45%
32%
Business travel
42%
46%
33%
42%
39%
Capital expenditures (e.g. non technology)
32%
36%
26%
38%
21%
Cost cutting
25%
23%
33%
27%
34%
Planned Increase
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,078 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Rating of Concerns that Could Inhibit Growth
Timeframe: over next 6 months
47%
Stalled recovery
54%
58%
General lack of confidence/paralysis
47%
26%
Unexpected shock (e.g. financial crisis, spike in oil prices)
36%
34%
36%
Access to credit/capital
29%
Government regulation
36%
Weak corporate demand
29%
31%
Labor prices/availability of talent
31%
37%
Lower margins
21%
22%
Weak consumer demand
21%
22%
North Carolina
Overall
26%
Domestic competition
19%
34%
Disruptive technologies or business models
16%
Overseas competition
16%
13%
11%
12%
Stock market volatility
Input/commodity price inflation
3%
5%
Weak export market
0%
4%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,078 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Section 2: Policy Positions
Support for Policy Initiatives That May Spur
Growth or Innovation in the Tech Sector
Policy Proposal
North Midwest South
Region Region Region
West
North
Region Carolina
Doing more to expand access to capital for startup and high
growth companies
65%
57%
55%
54%
53%
Doing more to advance STEM education at the K-12 level
42%
52%
50%
52%
42%
43%
49%
46%
50%
45%
48%
43%
37%
46%
32%
38%
44%
39%
46%
42%
32%
31%
35%
38%
24%
24%
21%
24%
26%
18%
20%
21%
20%
23%
5%
19%
25%
22%
19%
24%
16%
17%
17%
16%
13%
14%
14%
20%
17%
18%
Achieving a simplified personal and corporate tax structure,
including closing corporate tax loopholes
Making the research and development (R&D) tax credit
permanent
Placing career, technical and vocational education on par with
traditional degree programs to help expand pool of trained tech
workers
Expanding visa categories and H1B caps to keep foreign nationals
with advanced STEM skills in the U.S.
Advancing a pro-trade agenda to expand U.S. exports of
technology products
Expanding incentives and easing regulations for commercialization
of academic or government applications
Creating more incentives to build out the broadband
infrastructure
Making more spectrum available for creation of new wireless
applications
Tax holiday for the repatriation of profits from overseas by U.S.
tech companies
Preference for Government Involvement in Promoting
Growth and Innovation in the Tech Sector
55%
43%
41%
38%
37%
32%
29%
Northeast
40% 41%
31%
Midwest
South
30%
27%
West
21%
18%
North Carolina
13%
NET Low
Government
Involvement
Moderate
Government
Involvement
NET High
Government
Involvement
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,051 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Rating of How State/Local Government
Represented the Interests of the Tech Sector
Timeframe: during past two years
43%
42%
36%
35%
40%
37%
36%
38% 39%
Northeast
31%
Midwest
30%
27%
22%
24%
20%
South
West
North Carolina
NET Well
Just Okay
NET Poor
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,043 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Rating of Quantity and Quality of Tech
Talent in State and/or Region
Significant shortage in terms of the
quantity and quality of tech talent
11%
22%
61%
Moderate shortage
50%
24%
Equilibrium, supply roughly
equals demand
Moderate surplus
Significant surplus in terms of quantity
and quality of tech talent
16%
3%
10%
North Carolina
Overall
3%
2%
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,049 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base:38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Assessment of Tech Sector Potential
Rating of the respondent’s belief of the degree to which the tech sector
in respondent’s state/region is reaching its potential, or not
74%
67%
70%
68%
61%
Northeast
Midwest
South
25% 23% 23%
2% 2% 2%
4%
West
28%
24%
North Carolina
0%
Out-performing its
Performing at
Under-performing
potential
about its potential
its potential
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,046 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Section 3: Technology Trends
Ranking of Importance of Tech Sector Segments
Information technology or
telecommunications
53%
44%
34%
34%
Life sciences or healthcare technology
Advanced manufacturing
Environmental or energy technology
3%
9%
11%
7%
Defense / military technology
0%
5%
Advanced materials
0%
1%
North Carolina
Overall
Source: TECNA
Base: 1,042 senior U.S. technology and business executives
Base: 38 North Carolina Technology Association executives
Assessment of Technologies as Contributors to
Growth in State/Region Over Next Two Years
Overall
64%
60%
59%
59%
48%
42%
39%
38%
37%
36%
35%
34%
33%
31%
30%
29%
29%
26%
24%
23%
17%
14%
9%
North
Carolina
73%
51%
70%
70%
70%
30%
27%
46%
35%
38%
38%
27%
32%
27%
43%
32%
35%
19%
19%
27%
3%
5%
11%
Big Data analytics, data mining and business intelligence
Mobile apps development
Healthcare tech
Cloud-based software development (SaaS)
Everything-as-a-service (e.g. managed help desk, networks, security, etc.)
Wireless services
E-commerce or mobile commerce
Cloud implementation, integration or consulting services
Green tech
Mobile implementation, integration or consulting services
Mobile device development (Tablets, smartphones, accessories)
Biotech
Business process automation
Social solutions and technologies
Big Data storage and management
Enterprise collaboration (Video conferencing, collaboration tools)
Cloud data centers
Data visualization
Location-based services and technologies
Aggregation/Orchestration (coordination among multiple service providers)
Machine-to-machine learning or interaction
Defense tech
Telecom equipment development