New research has found that three in five frontline workers believe information shared on workplace screens helps them to become more engaged with their wider business (61%), more productive (59%) and more data literate (62%). The research signifies the immense impact access to information has on workplace engagement and productivity.
The study, developed by ScreenCloud and Google ChromeOS, sought to discover insights on the tech equity gap between information and deskless workers, and the impact this has on both engagement and productivity. ‘The State of Digital Signage: 2023-2024’, draws on insights from 2,400 decision makers and employees across the largely deskless industries of manufacturing, logistics, transportation and supply chain.
The research found that almost four in five frontline workers (78%) believe office workers get more opportunities than they do due to their access to multiple workplace communication applications and digital information sources. This is supported by previous research which shows that just 1% of software venture funding goes towards enabling deskless workers. However, ‘The State of Digital Signage: 2023-2024’, found that one communication channel which can help improve this sentiment is workplace screens, which nearly 8 in 10 workers (79%) expressed a positive perception towards.
“Deskless workers make up around 80% of the global workforce, so when we consider that these individuals do not feel that they receive the communication and opportunities afforded to their information worker counterparts, it’s no wonder that organisations are struggling with a disengaged workforce and therefore decreased productivity,” said Mark McDermott, CEO of ScreenCloud.
“Our research outlines that 78% of deskless workers do not have access to a company email address and 72% do not have access to a company intranet. Despite this, we often see organisations attempting to use these channels – and other platforms used to communicate with information workers – to connect with their frontline workforce. Not recognising the tech equity gap disadvantages deskless workers, creating a barrier to them becoming more engaged, more data-driven and more compliant with health and safety protocols. Everyone on the frontline deserves a more equitable technological experience, which digital signage can go some way to balancing.”
McDermott continued, “While workplace screens aren’t the silver bullet to solving the productivity puzzle and increasing engagement, they are uniquely well placed to impact these areas as part of an omni-channel communications approach. Digital signage is scientifically proven to be the most effective method to engage employees by stimulating their visual cortex, and when combined with behavioural science insights around screen location, placement, length of message, and so on, the outcomes are extremely powerful.”