Concern has been raised that a digital divide is opening up across the British economy.
Research by the Confederation of British Industry and consulting firm IBM has found that 55% of pioneering firms are adopting digital technologies and processes, while the other 45% are falling behind.
Despite the UK taking top place globally for e-commerce, it ranks only fourteenth for company-level adoption of digital technology.
Many companies are struggling to digitise their businesses at the rate of peers in other countries.
They are mainly hindered by lack of appropriate skills inside their business and an unclear return on investment.
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said: “It’s vital that businesses in all sectors truly understand digital technology’s potential, from the boardroom to the shop or factory floor.”
She recommended that firms appoint chief technology officers to build businesses’ long-term digital strategies that she considered critical to their futures.
