The Burson-Marsteller Age of Trump Tech Policy Survey

1. 1
Burson-Marsteller Age of Trump Tech Policy Survey
December 2016

2. 2
Methodology
Timing: Fielded December 6 to December 13, 2016
Study Objectives:
Penn Schoen Berland conducted research on behalf of Burson-Marsteller to explore attitudes and
perceptions about the future of the technology industry. This research sought to understand:
• Attitudes about the technology industry and the larger economy
• Perceptions and assumptions about the incoming administration’s technology policy
• Perspectives about innovation and next steps for the industry
Audiences:
To meet these objectives, PSB conducted an online quantitative study from December 6th to December 13th,
2016 among Tech Elite (n=504) and General Public respondents (n=1000). All Tech Elites are age 25+ with at
least a college education, have a household income of $100,000+ in the coastal regions and $75,000+ in the
heartland, live within 30 miles of a city with a significant technology industry presence reflecting a mix of
established and start-up technology firms, and follow news about technology closely.
Tech Elites are further broken down into three sub categories: Industry Tech Elites who work in the tech
industry, Investment Tech Elites who work in finance and specialize in tech investing and Broad Tech Elites
who fit the general elite profile and personally invest in technology. The U.S. General Public were polled to
national census data to ensure a representative sample of the United States to compare perceptions from
outside the tech industry. The margin of error for the Tech Elites total sample is +/- 4.3% and larger for
subgroups. The margin of error for the General Public total sample is +/- 3.00% and larger for subgroups.
Unless otherwise noted, n-size per audience is the same throughout report
All numbers shown are percentages unless otherwise indicated
Results that do not total 100% may be due to removal of “Don’t know” or “Other” responses
Icons by Gregor Cresnar and Sandra M via The Noun Project

3. 3
Key Findings – The state of the U.S. innovation economy
After a difficult election, optimism is high, particularly among Tech Elites that the US economy will be headed the right
direction over the next four years.
• Tech Elites are optimistic that the tech industry will do better in the next 4 years, but they are conflicted about Trump's role in
the tech industry.
• Americans see the technology sector as important to the U.S. and believe the tech industry is going the right direction.
Americans are optimistic about the tech industry, trust the tech industry to act in their best interests, and see it as important
to the economy…
• Most in the US say technology is a job creator, but see the innovation economy as having the ability to leave many behind with
Middle America losing and Wall Street winning.
• Most say innovation is key to America’s global economic standing, and that if innovation slows in the US that China will step in
as a leader.
While innovation is seen as critical to America’s place in the global economy, average Americans are not sure they will benefit
from growth in the technology industry…
• The US General Public are more likely to believe that the best jobs and the the path to building a strong domestic economy is
centered around manufacturing while the Tech Elites feel that tech innovation will create the best jobs.
• There is broad support for promoting the hiring and retention of Americans first, but there is recognition that it may not be
realistic as our education system many leave many unprepared for today’s tech driven workplaces.

4. 4
After a difficult election, optimism is high,
particularly among Tech Elites.

5. 5
27%
52%
Optimism about the future of the U.S. is high among Tech Elites
They say the country is going in the right direction and anticipate continuing economic
improvement under President Trump, however the US General Public is far less positive.
Q. In general, do you think things in the U.S. are going in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track?
Q. Comparing the economy to how it was four years ago, do you feel like the U.S. economy is doing...
Q. Thinking of four years from now, do you think the U.S. economy will be…
(Results that do not total 100% may be due to removal of “Don’t know” or “Other” responses)
Unlike the General Public, U.S.
Tech Elites feel that the U.S.
economy is better now
compared to four years ago
Tech Elites - 72%
General Public – 43%
Thinking of four years
from now, Tech Elites feel
the U.S. economy will be
better
Tech Elites - 59%
General Public – 46%Wrong Track
59%
45%
Right Direction
General Public
Tech Elites

6. 6
There is optimism that the tech sector is going the right direction
The General Public says that the tech industry will be better in the next 4 years vs. the past 4.
Q. Do you think the U.S. technology industry's best days are ahead of it or behind it?
Q. Which of the following is closest to your view? (Past 4/ Next 4)
Q. Is innovation by the technology industry going in the right direction or is it off on the wrong track to "Make America Great Again"?
(Results that do not total 100% may be due to removal of “Don’t know” or “Other” responses)
Icon by Aya Sofya via The Noun Project
46%
65%
Wrong Track
21%
22%
Right Direction
General Public
Tech Elites
76%
Tech Elites
59%
General Public
17%
Tech Elites
19%
General Public
U.S. tech industry’s best days ahead/behind
44%
Tech Elites
66%
General Public
56%
Tech Elites
34%
General Public
Tech industry better past 4 years vs. next 4 years
Is innovation by the tech industry going in the right
direction to “Make America Great Again”?
AheadBehind

7. 7
A majority think President-Elect Trump is a tech industry supporter
Most also believe that innovation will stay the same or improve under Trump.
Q. Based on anything you know or have heard do you think President-Elect Trump is generally a supporter or an opponent of the technology industry?
Q. Do you think the technology industry under the Trump administration will become more innovative than ever or is it likely to become more stagnant?
Is President-Elect Trump a tech
industry supporter?
% Responding YES…
59%
Tech Elites:
General Public:
50%
28% 21%
31% 40%
42% 39%
Tech Elites General Public
Become more stagnant Won’t change More innovative
Under President Trump will the tech industry
become more innovative than ever?

8. 8
But they are less clear about Trump’s impact on the tech sector
While Tech Elites are split evenly between positive, negative and neutral sentiments towards
the Trump administration, it is clear that most of the General Public has a neutral feeling
Q. Which of the following is closest to your view?
Q. Which of the following words or phrases best reflects how you feel about the future of the technology industry under President Trump’s administration?
Icon by Alec Dhuse via The Noun Project
Trump administration better
understands the needs of
companies better than the Obama
administration did
58%
General Public
51%
Tech Elites
33% 28%
29% 40%
37% 33%
Tech Elites General Public
Negative Words Neutral Words Positive Words
The General Public’s strongest reflection of
the Trump administration is “wait and see”
(e.g. optimistic)(e.g. concerned) (e.g. wait and see)

9. 9
Americans trust the tech industry to act in their best interests,
and see it as important to the economy.

10. 10
As of today Americans trust the trust the tech industry to behave in
their best interest…
Across audiences, the tech industry is far more trusted than the government, proof that the
industry cares about public priorities could help increase that sentiment.
Q. How strongly do you agree with the following statement? The government has a responsibility to provide support and incentives that encourage innovation
Q. Which of the following is closest to your view? (Regulations)
Q. To what extent do you trust the following types of institutions to behave responsibly and in the best interests of the American public?
88%
80%
58%
54%
76%
67%
43%
28%
The technology
industry
The
manufacturing
industry
Financial
institutions
Federal
government
Tech Elite General Public
Trust that institutions will behave responsibly and in
the best interests of the American public
While the General Public
believes the government
should support innovation…
…They also believe
regulation is key to a strong
market/economy
84%
Agree65%
Selecting
Ranked by Tech Elites

11. 11
Americans see the technology sector as important to the economy
While the technology industry is important and front and center in the jobs story, the US
General Public believes that Manufacturing is also likely to create good jobs in the US.
Q. How important are each of these industries to the U.S. economy…
Q. Which of these industries do you most associate with creating good jobs in America? Please select your top 5.
3
67% Very
Important
1
75% Very
Important
2
73% Very
Important
1
80% Very
Important
3
69% Very
Important
2
73% Very
Important
Tech Elites General Public
63%
27%
58%
58%
73%
51%
51%
56%
62%
83%
Manufacturing
(durable goods)
Financial
Services
Healthcare
Energy
Technology
Tech Elites General Public
Which industries create good jobs in the U.S.?Importance of industries to U.S. economy
Ranked by Tech Elites
Technology
Energy
Healthcare

12. 12
Americans see security & privacy as top priorities for the next 4 years…
The innovation economy is important but the security of existing data and technology is a
key priority for the US public.
Q. Which of the following topics do you think should be priorities for the technology industry over the next 4 years? Please select your top 3.
30%
27% 25% 24% 23%
20% 19%
15% 15% 13%
28%
43%
38%
20%
40%
8%
13%
16%
9% 8%
Security of
corporate data
Security of
government
data
Protecting
consumer
privacy
Healthcare IT Hacking &
ransomware
Internet of
Things
STEM education Protecting
intellectual
property (IP)
5G
development
Access &
management of
big data
Tech Elites General Public
Top 10 Priorities for the Technology Industry Over the Next 4 Years
Ranked by Tech Elites
Expand the innovation economy
Protect America and Americans

13. 13
Americans believe that both the federal government and technology
industry should be held responsible for protecting data…
Encryption technology is seen as positive step from the tech industry by both Tech Elites and
the General Public.
Q57. Who bears the most responsibility for protecting consumer data and ensuring it remains private and secure?
Q58. Thinking about the encryption technology some companies use on their consumer products, which of the following do you most agree with?
Icon by Peter van Driel via The Noun Project
5%
5%
15%
15%
20%
20%
18%
7%
7%
11%
15%
19%
19%
20%
State governments
Industry watchdog
organizations
The individual user
Online service providers
The federal government
Product or service companies
(e.g. retailers)
The software manufacturers
Tech Elite
General Public
Who bears the most responsibility
for protecting consumer data? Encryption technology
is a good thing
68%
General Public
85%
Tech Elites
Ranked by Tech Elites

14. 14
While innovation is seen as critical to America’s place in the global
economy, average Americans are not sure they will benefit from
growth in the technology industry.

15. 15
Most say innovation is key to America’s global economic standing
There is consensus that if innovation slows in the US, it will continue overseas with both Tech
Elites and the US General Public saying China would become the innovation leader.
Q. How strongly do you agree with the following statement? Staying at the forefront on technology and innovation is critical to maintaining America’s standing in the global economy
Q. If innovation does not occur in America do you think it will…
Q. Should efforts be made to slow the pace of innovation in the U.S.?
Icons by Rockicon and Nikita Kozin via The Noun Project
Innovation is critical to U.S. standing
in the global economy
73%
Tech Elites:
General Public:
59%
69% of General Public
agree with that
statement
73%
Of Tech Elites
think innovation
will continue
overseas
If innovation does not
occur in America, it
will continue overseas
Top contenders for
where it will move…
56% of Tech Elites share the
same sentiment
66%
Of General Public say
China

16. 16
Most Americans say technology is a job creator, but the innovation
economy is seen as rewarding only select parts of the population…
With middle America most at risk both Tech Elites and General Public see Wall Street & large
investors as the big winners in the innovation economy.
Q. Which of the following is closest to your view? (Create/Destroy)
Q. Who stands to gain the most if American technology companies continue down their current innovation path?
Q. Who stands to lose the most if American technology companies continue down their current innovation path?
73% of Tech Elites say technology is
a job creator for average
Americans
… while more of the General Public
says it is a job destroyer
Only 27%
Selecting Job Destroyer
37%
Selecting Job Destroyer
17% 16%
13% 13% 11%
21%
10%
18%
15%
5%
Wall Street and
large investors
American
inventors
American
manufacturers
Middle America
/ average
Americans
International
competitors
Tech Elites General Public
4%
9%
14%
22%
13%
3%
6%
13%
35%
8%
Who gains and loses most if American tech
companies continue their current innovation path?
Ranked by Tech-Elites
LoseGain

17. 17
35%
26%
41%
51%
70%
31%
45%
51%
62%
83%
78%
10%
5%
14%
60%
74%
22%
17%
26%
62%
The General Public are looking to the traditional manufacturing jobs
to improve the domestic economy and their job prospects
The public sees the industries that create good jobs as giving those jobs away to foreign
employees, the tech and manufacturing sectors in particular.
Q. How strongly do you agree with the following statement? Building a strong domestic economy is about growing the
number of traditional manufacturing and service jobs rather than focusing on expanding the innovation economy
Q. Which of these industries do you most associate with bringing highly skilled workers to America? Please select your top 5.
Q. Which of these industries do you most associate with shipping good jobs overseas? Please select your top 5.
Icon by Amelia Wattenberger via The Noun Project
A strong domestic economy means growing
traditional manufacturing and service jobs
not the innovation economy
Tech Elites:
68% agree
General Public:
74% agree
Where are industries with good jobs finding their workforce?
General Public
Technology
Energy
Healthcare
Financial Services
Manufacturing
Bringing workers to AmericaShipping good jobs overseas
Ranked by Tech Engaged industry creates good jobs
Tech Elites

18. 18
There is broad support for promoting the hiring and retention of
Americans but there is recognition that it may not be realistic…
More than half of the General Public say that the US education system leaves people
unprepared for today’s tech driven workplaces.
Q. Which statement is closer to your view? (Hire Americans vs. Qualified)
Q. Which statement is closer to your view? (Trump Focus on Talent)
Q. Which statement is closer to your view? (Punished vs. Incentivized)
Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The U.S. educational system is adequately preparing young people for today’s technology driven workplace.
The Tech industry should
give preference to
50% of Tech Elites say
that the best qualified
individuals should get
preference
56%
Of the General Public say
hiring preference should
be given to Americans
The U.S. Education system is not
adequately preparing people
for today’s tech drive workplace
58%
General
Public
42%
Tech Elites

19. 19
High skills job training will spread the benefits of technology industry
Over 6 in 10 across audiences say the tech industry should be responsible for driving skills
training and the General Public also believe the industry should invest more in STEM.
Q. Which statement is closer to your view? (Tech vs. Govt. responsible for actively promoting)
Q. Do you think any of the following steps could spread the benefits of American technology and innovation to a broader portion of the American public? (Showing Top 3)
Q. Where do you think the technology industry should invest more to help make our economy grow? Please select your top 2. (Showing Top 3)
Increased STEM
Education 53%
General Public
59%
Tech Elites
High Skills Job
Training
Rural Broadband
Development
Help Spread Benefits of Tech
63%
General Public
53%
Tech Elites
67%
General Public
72%
Tech Elites
77%
General Public
71%
Tech Elites
28%
General Public
38%
Tech Elites
24%
General Public
25%
Tech Elites
Tech Should Invest More Both Tech Elites and the General Public say
tech industry should be responsible for
promoting & funding digital skills
training
… while only one third of each
groups says it should be the
government’s responsibility
61%
Tech Elites
Selecting Tech
Industry
68%
General Public
Selecting Tech
Industry

20. 20
THANK YOU
Burson-Marsteller.com/AgeofTrumpTechPolicySurvey