HP Study: The Role Of Millennials And X In Eliminating Technological Doubts In Gen Z And Baby Boomer

Illustration of MSME technology (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - HP's latest study shows that 56 percent of the millennial generation (27-42 years old) and 55 percent of Generation X (43-58 years old) strongly believe that adopting technology for business interests is a smart choice for the future.

However, another fact from the Smart Where IT Matters Study cellphone shows an intergenerational gap. Where generation Z and the baby boomers who own MSMEs agree to show a high level of doubt and rejection of technological developments, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Throughout Southeast Asia, 77 percent of MSMEs consider technology important to help face business challenges.

However, contrary to positive sentiment towards this technology, about 69 percent of the baby boomers generation (aged 59 years and over) do not see any profit in investing in technology.

What is surprising is that as many as 57 percent of Generation Z (aged 19-26 years) who are digital native (born in the digital era) also holds the same doubts about the benefits of investing in technology.

The same result also came from Indonesia, where more than 65 percent of MSME activists from generation Z and baby boomers doubted the profits presented by technology, when compared to their colleagues from generation X and millennials.

The study conducted by research firm Kantar and supported by HP surveyed around 1,200 micro-enterprises to find out the dynamics of technology adoption in Southeast Asia.

This study concluded that, so that MSMEs can be successful in the digital era, generation X and millennials must lead to eliminate fear, doubt, or anxiety with technology.

"MSME actors must do many things, so they are at the forefront of a more competitive business climate, add consumers and income, and increase the efficiency of time and money. Therefore, technology should not be complicated and intimidating," said Lim Choon Teck, Managing Director of Indonesian HP.

"Technology must work simply, smoothly in use, safely, and environmentally friendly," he added.