The majority of IT service management (ITSM) professionals are confident that job losses are unlikely in their sector despite the tough economic climate, an ongoing survey has revealed.
The survey by the Service Desk Institute (SDI) found that 62 per cent of those polled are confident that the current economic climate will not result in a reduction of staffing levels and subsequent redundancies, compared to 20 per cent who thought it would.
Instead, in order to defend themselves and their staff against the economic downturn, 64 per cent of budget holders said they were choosing to reduce their recruitment budgets in preparation for the next financial year.
Respondents also suggested growth in their area seemed unlikely with 45 per cent of those surveyed anticipating a significant slow down in investment. But a further 40 per cent said it would not affect service desk growth, with the remainder saying they didn't know.
These preliminary findings led the SDI to conclude that preparing for the future and protecting current staff are the main ITSM motivators in the current, turbulent economic climate.
The full SDI Salary Report is due for publication in November 2008.
