Grant Thornton research shows strong investment intent among Irish businesses, with skills shortages and system integration shaping the outcome of major IT programmes.
Irish businesses are preparing to deepen their investment in technology in 2026, underlining the central role digital tools continue to play in growth and competitiveness across the economy.
New research from Grant Thornton shows that the majority of companies plan to increase spending, while many executives remain sharply focused on how technology projects are delivered in practice.
“Skills shortages, integration issues and resistance to change are combining to undermine delivery, often resulting in disruption rather than transformation”
Grant Thornton’s Digital Transformation research draws on the views of more than 550 senior executives worldwide, including 125 based in Ireland. The study examined investment priorities, technology integration, return on investment and the practical challenges faced during large IT programmes.
Digital transformation remains a strategic priority
According to the research, eight in ten Irish firms plan to raise their technology budgets by between 6% and 10% this year. The findings point to sustained confidence in digital transformation as a strategic priority across sectors, from core systems upgrades to data, cloud and automation initiatives.
Alongside higher investment, the survey highlights several recurring issues that shape the experience of technology delivery in Irish organisations. More than half of Irish respondents, 51%, said their organisation struggles to integrate new technologies with existing systems. A further 22% cited resistance to change internally as a barrier to success.
The most frequently cited challenge relates to people rather than platforms. Almost seven in ten executives, 69%, identified a lack of skilled workers as the biggest technology-related issue facing their organisation. The shortage of specialist talent continues to affect project timelines, configuration quality and long-term system adoption.
The operational impact of IT programmes also featured strongly in the responses. Almost four in five Irish executives, 77%, said technology projects had caused disruption to day-to-day operations. Among those reflecting on completed implementations, 39% pointed to unclear performance gains, while 33% highlighted low levels of user adoption.
Delivery needs to keep pace with ambition
Commenting on the findings, Shane O’Neill, Technology and Digital Consulting Partner at Grant Thornton, said organisations are placing significant bets on technology and need to ensure delivery keeps pace with ambition.
“Businesses are investing more than ever in technology, but our research shows that execution is where many programmes come unstuck,” he said. “Skills shortages, integration issues and resistance to change are combining to undermine delivery, often resulting in disruption rather than transformation. Closing this execution gap is now critical if organisations are to see real returns from their technology spend.”
O’Neill added that clarity of purpose at the outset of projects can make a measurable difference to outcomes.
“In many cases, IT projects are launched without a clear line of sight to business outcomes or without sufficient focus on how new systems will operate alongside existing platforms. This creates unnecessary complexity for teams and increases the risk of disruption to day-to-day operations.”
As Irish firms commit more capital to digital initiatives in 2026, the research suggests that attention is increasingly shifting from investment levels to capability, planning and change management, with boards and executives seeking smoother delivery and clearer value from their technology strategies.
Top image: Shane O’Neill, Technology and Digital Consulting Partner at Grant Thornton
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