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Government market research firm Market Connections, today released a new survey that calls government agencies continually behind the curve in technology adoption compared to the private sector.

The study, which examined the perceptions and adoption of new technologies among federal government decision makers, indicated the perception of technology adoption in government agencies as “ as slow and difficult to keep going.”

Market Connections conducted the survey in February on behalf of the Government Information Technology Council (GITEC). GITEC is a group of senior-level government executives organized to support the delivery of high-quality and cost-effective IT services to their customers.

“The findings show real progress in some emerging technology and application areas. But technology engines don’t seem to be revving to keep up with needs,” said Lisa Dezzutti, president of Market Connections.

“When asked if innovations have found their way into daily applications, more federal decision-makers compare their agencies to vintage cars rather than today’s hybrids.”

The majority of the 223 survey respondents serve in management, operations, or IT/MIS roles, with 39% of them employed in defense/military agencies and 61% employed in federal civilian or independent agencies.

Highlights from the survey include:

*Wireless/mobile solutions and cloud computing were cited most often as technologies that, while beneficial or promising, remain the most overlooked. In fact, nearly three-quarters of respondents were either unsure if their agency has a cloud deployment plan or very clear that it doesn’t have a plan.
*Forty-five percent (45%) of respondents said their agencies are perpetually behind the technology curve compared to the private sector, while another 39% say that old legislation negatively impacts their agencies’ adoption of new technologies.
*Budget limitations narrowly outpace security concerns as the top two challenges confronting the implementation of upcoming technology initiatives. In fact, 18% reported that general hardware and software updates were the most beneficial new or innovative technologies implemented in the last 12 months.
*Nearly three in ten respondents say their agencies are not actively engaging Gen Y in the workforce; however, more than a quarter are offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing flexible work environments and increased coaching and training, respectively.