How business is adapting to COVID-19: Executive insights reveal post-pandemic opportunities

Purpose IBM Institute for Business Value research suggests five key discoveries for the post-pandemic business landscape offering new perspectives on digital transformation, the future of work, transparency and sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The data referenced in this report were collected from a number of surveys: The IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, surveyed 3,450 executives in 20 industries and 22 countries from April to June 2020. The IBM Institute for Business Value, again in collaboration with Oxford Economics, conducted in July and August 2020 an Executive Pulse survey of 400 CEOs, CIO/CTOs, COOs and Chief Transformation Officers in the US across 20 industries. The IBM Institute for Business Value has fielded a survey instrument with Survey Monkey since April 2020 with more than 50,000 adult respondents across eight countries. Findings Analysis confirms that the business competencies that account for the largest part of an organization’s expected growth are those centered on employees and customers. Practical implications The survey data also point to greater reliance on platform business models and partner networks. Originality/value The research highlights a gaping chasm between what executives think they are offering their employees and how those employees feel.