However, among the almost 5,000 business leaders across 109 countries and territories that were polled, there was concern about macroeconomic volatility (29%) and inflation (27%) with North American respondents at about the average percentages.
CEOs also realise that they must embrace change including AI, with 42% of respondents believing their company will not be viable beyond the next decade if it continues on its current path. Around four in ten say they have begun competing in at least one new sector in the last five years.
“This year’s CEO Survey findings highlight a stark juxtaposition – business leaders around the world are optimistic about the year ahead, but also know they must reinvent how they create, deliver and capture value,” said Mohamed Kande, global chairman, PwC. “Emerging technologies such as GenAI, shifts in geopolitics, and the climate transition are all revolutionising how the economy works. New business ecosystems are forming, transforming how companies compete and create value. To thrive, business leaders must act now and take bold decisions around their strategy – ranging from people, footprint and supply chain, right through to reinventing their business model.”
Climate investments
There is growing concern about climate investments, with major banks in Canada and the US having left the Net Zero Banking Alliance and an ESG backlash, especially in the US.
But the survey found that business that made climate investments in the last five years were six times more likely to have resulted in increased revenue (33%) than decreased revenue (5%). Respondents cited regulatory complexity in initiating climate investments as their biggest barrier, above lower returns on investment (18%) or lack of buy-in from management or the board (6%).
