Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

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Executive Summary

This report helps EHS decision-makers benchmark their spending plans, technology adoption and EHS software preferences. This report also supports the strategic decision-making of executives at EHS consulting and technology firms. The global survey study was conducted between June and September 2017 via telephone interviews with senior EHS decision-makers with direct responsibilities for corporate-wide EHS management strategies and initiatives. The 382 respondents work at firms with revenues of at least $250 million and represent 25 industries. To improve the statistical validity of the survey results we increased the weight of industries with high to very high EHS risk profiles to align the survey findings with EHS spending. Our analysis finds that EHS budgets will increase by 5.4% in 2018, with a focus on technology spending and a view towards improving worker safety and operational performance. EHS decision-makers face multiple barriers to technology adoption; these range from lack of budget to lack of technology expertise and information. Technology preferences are shaped by software configurability, as well as a broader acceptability for cloud deployment.

Table of contents

Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences
Global Multi-Industry Survey With EHS Decision-Makers Delivers Granular Insight
EHS Decision-Makers Perceive High EHS Risks Within Their Industries

On A Worldwide Basis EHS Budgets Will Increase By 5.4% In 2018
Technology Will Receive The Highest Increase In EHS Spend In 2018
Improving Safety And Operational Performance Are The Biggest Growth Opportunities In 2018

Technology Barriers And Preferences Point To Challenges For Investment
Even Pro-Technology EHS Leaders Face Multiple Funding And Expertise Barriers  
Customers Will Choose EHS Software Capable Of Configuration To Their Specific Needs  
Technology Preferences For Deployment, Mobile And Data Sharing Are Mixed News For Vendors

Table of figures

Figure 1. Revenue Of Survey Respondents’ Firms
Figure 2. Industry Categorisation Of Respondents’ Firms
Figure 3. Geographic Location Of Respondents
Figure 4. Self-Categorisation Of EHS Risk
Figure 5. Organizational Structure For Environment, Health, Safety And Quality
Figure 6. EHS Employee Numbers At Each Organizational Level
Figure 7. EHS Budget Allocation Across Four Categories
Figure 8. Change In EHS Spend In 2018 Compared To 2017
Figure 9. Change In Spend Across EHS Categories In 2018
Figure 10. Change In Spend On EHS Activities Between 2018 And 2017
Figure 11. EHS Software: 2018 Investment Plans
Figure 12. EHS Consulting Projects: 2018 Investment Plans
Figure 13. View Of EHS Decision-Makers On The Role Of Technology
Figure 14. Multiple Barriers To Maximising Value From EHS Technologies
Figure 15. Adoption Of Emerging EHS Technologies In 2018
Figure 16. Evaluation Of EHS Software Vendors
Figure 17. Evaluation Of EHS Software
Figure 18. Current Usage Of EHS Software
Figure 19. Acceptability Of Different EHS Software Deployment Options
Figure 20. Willingness Of EHS Decision-Makers To Share EHS Data
Figure 21. Evaluation Of EHS Mobile Apps

About the author

Isabel Velasco

Industry Analyst

Isabel is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix EHS practice. Her current agenda focuses on research on all applications of EHS Software, and digital technologies used for EHS services delivery and EHS training. Her current agenda is focused on benchmarking prominent players in the digital EHS services market, as well as in-depth market size and forecast studies that span EHS software and EHS services across global regions. Prior to Verdantix, Isabel worked within the sustainability function of GlaxoSmithKline. Isabel holds an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh.

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