Nearly two-thirds of the people responsible for IT systems in UK businesses lack clear or realistic business objectives, new research suggests.

According to IT services company Atos Origin, many chief information officers (CIOs) and IT decision makers struggle to both manage IT infrastructure and fulfil their business strategy requirements.

The survey showed that 76 per cent of the IT managers questioned did not consider that they had any strategic influence within the business.

In fact, 56 per cent described themselves as a "manager of IT and of outsourced IT suppliers". Just 26 per cent believed that they were a "strategic influencer within the business".

Around half (54 per cent) of the CIOs said that they needed a larger IT budget if they wanted to exert more influence on their company's strategic direction.

John Stevenson, chief operating officer at Atos Origin, explained: "Many CIOs find their time is preoccupied with managing multiple IT suppliers and relationships, without the appropriate internal infrastructure and governance, leaving them little time to focus on developing their role within the business.

"This often impacts the ability of the IT department to provide innovative solutions that enable the company to be more agile and, ultimately, increase their business advantage."