IT outsourcing users in the recruitment sector could be likely to adopt emerging technologies in the coming years, it has been claimed.

The new Technology 2020 report, published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), claimed the face of the labour market will be changed by the adoption of eight IT developments.

Cloud computing, developments in information management, increasing demand for data security and the rise of green IT will cause how recruitment firms conduct their business.

In addition, next-generation mobile communications, the spread of unified communications, social networking and nano hardware will lead to lasting change in the industry.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, commented: “It is vital that the recruitment industry seriously reviews the far-reaching implications of the latest technological advances. Those that modify their business practices first are likely to be best placed to win more business.”

Recent research by IT industry analyst Gartner predicted that technology will be an essential element of firms’ plan to recover from the downturn, which could see an increase in IT outsourcing.