Australians believe businesses are failing at planning for the future: Report

The report results are a warning siren to businesses and suggest that businesses and institutions like government need to offer plans and solutions to clients and constituents.

The Ipsos Global Trends survey 2023 found that in Australia, there is a growing tension between global and local institutions and businesses.

Australians are less likely to view globalisation as good for them personally (50 per cent versus 62 per cent global average) but has a similar proportion seeing it as good for Australia (66 per cent). So, while there is tension between global and local, in Australia, there is also some tension between individually good and the greater good. 

Australians are also concerned about environmental disasters but less so than many around the globe (72 per cent versus 80 per cent global average). Like the rest of the world, Australians are split on whether scientists really know what they are talking about on environmental issues (49 per cent agree that scientists don’t know versus 45 per cent disagree).

Ipsos Global Trends showed Australians have clear expectations of brands and business with most Australians surveyed believing business can be a force for good, with 81 per cent agreeing that brands can make money and support good causes at the same time (versus 80 per cent global average), yet at the same time, 60 per cent don’t trust business leaders to tell the truth (versus 53 per cent global average).

And six in 10 Australians said they try to buy products from brands that act responsibly, even if it costs more (59 per cent versus 64 per cent global average).  

However, according to the report, Australia is one of the more optimistic nations with 29 per cent optimistic for the world overall for the coming year and 70 per cent considering themselves happy (versus 57 per cent global average), while two-thirds (67 per cent) are optimistic about how 2023 will pan out for themselves and their family (versus 59 per cent global average).

Ipsos Australia Public Affairs deputy managing director, David Elliott, said the Australian findings showed that while there are similar trends at a local and global level, there are some important differences that have implications for policymakers around the country.  

“The key questions that arise from these overarching findings are — how do we help individuals derive more personal benefit from globalisation? How do we harness the optimism that we hold in Australia and build a future that benefits all Australians?” he said.

“This is particularly relevant given the highly publicised data breaches in 2022 — how do we help citizens realise the benefits of the internet without feeling they are compromising their lives or their privacy? And finally, if you believe that scientific evidence and perhaps solutions are key to tackle climate change and environmental degradation, how do we restore faith in environmental science and scientists?

“On a corporate front, it’s encouraging to see that most Australians we surveyed believe business can be a force for good, however, perhaps we are seeing this as more hypothetical than actual given that 60 per cent don’t trust business leaders to tell the truth.”