The lack of adoption of modern technology in the workplace is resulting in the suffering of British businesses, it has been revealed.

Many older employers are ignoring newer computer systems which in turn is restricting the development of employees under the age of 35, according to joint research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Ordnance Survey.

Two-thirds of employers were found to be monitoring web use and blocking inappropriate content, with another one in five employers imposing curfews on internet access.

Jo Causon, the director of CMI marketing and corporate affairs, said many younger managers were more familiar with technology due to growing up with the computers around them, with many desiring up-to-date systems.

Employers needed to keep systems in good shape, she said, as the "failure to do so will lead to frustration and the loss of top talent at best, or worse, an open door for competitors to build advantage through a better-equipped and enabled workforce".

Created over 50 years ago, the CMI describes itself as the pre-eminent professional body for management and looks after 70,000 individual members.

More than half of small businesses (53 per cent) believe that the most important benefit of outsourcing is guaranteed response times for IT support. London-based Connect conducted the research in 2007.