Managers' IT key to effectiveness

More information and resources for middle managers would have tangible results

Senior managers need to allow those below them to take risks

There is a strong correlation between staff's IT tools and the financial success of a company, according to a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

But many businesses are still not providing these tools. says the report. Only 53 per cent of employees surveyed indicated that they have the technology they need and only 52 per cent say they have access to relevant information.

"For individuals to accomplish their tasks, management must provide infrastructure for sharing data that help employees to understand the context of their work and to make operational decisions," says the report.

Many employees only have enough information available to them to perform limited tasks - and could do more for the company if more resources were provided, the study found.

But while 87 per cent of respondents agreed it was important for the business to provide these tools, senior managers are not allowing middle management to make operational decisions without higher clearance.

Only about 16 per cent of respondents say their organisations encourage and reward risk-taking and more than 20 per cent say their organisations "generally discourage" it. But 85 per cent said autonomy is crucial to job satisfaction.

The survey contacted 1,351 senior executives worldwide.