A majority of Scots believe their local councils should adopt and implement emerging technologies, according to research commissioned by Capita on behalf of the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN).

The study, titled Exploring Digital Transformation in Scottish Local Government, sought to explore the attitude of Scottish citizens toward increased digitisation of services and the uptake of new technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Overall, the report paints a positive picture of Scotland’s willingness to accept and embrace IoT and digital transformation in local services. There are, however, still areas where local authorities can do more to foster an understanding of the benefits of emerging technologies.

Capita’s research found that people living in Scotland are eagre to see more digitisation and the deployment of smart technologies. A majority of respondents, some 83%, told the firm they welcome the prospect of increased IoT deployments as it could enhance the delivery of services.

In particular, researchers found a strong enthusiasm among 18 to 34-year-olds when discussing emerging technologies – with 92% of respondents stating they believe IoT will enhance service delivery.

Jack Anderson, head of digital & innovation for SWAN at Capita, suggested that as smart technologies become further woven into the fabric of daily life, demand for their use in public services will naturally develop.

“Digital technologies are ingrained in the home and work lives of Scottish citizens today, so it’s natural that they want their councils to extend digital initiatives in the future,” he said.

Anderson added: “The potential of IoT and its role in building smart cities offers new opportunities for councils and will benefit citizens across all of the country – including the one million citizens living in remote, rural or hard-to-reach areas.”

When looking at the potential benefits of living in a smart city, most Scots (56%) said they were excited about improved – or easier – access to public services. Additionally, more than half of respondents highlighted issues such as increased safety benefits or improvements to public transport networks as key advantages of smart city life.

It’s clear that technology can enhance local government operations in many ways, such as bringing high-speed internet to libraries or ensuring targets to reduce energy waste in public places can be measured,” Anderson said.

“What is even more positive is that the Scottish public is so willing to embrace new innovations from their councils,” he asserted.

Although the study showcases a willingness among Scots to embrace emerging technologies, it concedes that in some areas, local authorities must still do more to educate residents on the potential benefits which IoT can bring.

In the Highlands, for example, respondents were less certain about the impact of smart cities or the use of IoT, Capita said. Nearly one-quarter (23%) believed IoT would not enhance the delivery of local services and 18% – which Capita claimed is a “higher than average number” – couldn’t see any benefit of living in a smart city.