Η επίδραση των Mega Trend στον οικονομικό κλάδο
By Lediana Perndreca
Whenever we think about the future, mega-trends are one of the most useful tools that can help us gain more knowledge and understanding of the current situation in specific areas, as well as predict future trends and developments worldwide. This is because mega-trends are long-term, large-scale forces that have several world-shaping characteristics. They are complex factors that look at society at different levels.
But what are mega trends?
As the name suggests, mega-trends are trends that occur on a large scale. They therefore affect large groups of people, regions and in many cases the whole world. Mega-trends also occur over a long period of time: their lifespan lasts at least a decade and sometimes even longer.
The first mega trend refers to the impact that changes in production made on the labour markets, including through outsourcing and mechanisation, which have caused a lot of job losses, particularly in the manufacturing sectors. These trends in the labour markets are associated with higher rates of income inequality, which has increased in most countries around the world.
The second mega trend is closely related to the first, as it relates to the rapid development and advancement of new technologies, including information, communication and artificial intelligence, which have also affected the work around the world. While these innovations can act as accelerators for sustainable growth, countries that do not have access to them have a major risk of being left behind.
A wave of new technologies is emerging. Many of these technologies have already generated much debate. Lets say for example the development of artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, the exploitation of big data capabilities and the development of 3D printing.
The third in the series is the term of globalisation which has affected people and communities around the world and has had a significant impact on sustainable development. Fuelled by rapid changes in technology and increased mobility of goods, services, capital and labour, in recent decades globalisation has greatly changed economies, societies and the physical environment and made our world more interconnected than ever before.
Demographic and social changes present companies in different countries with opportunities and challenges in three areas: customers, employees and opportunities for international growth. Customer demand is changing: older target groups spend their money differently from younger ones and need to be approached differently. This is pushing marketing departments to focus even more on the demographic changes on their customer base.
According to researches by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, by 2030 the world’s population will be larger than it is today and is projected to reach 8.6 billion. Future demographics divide the world into two camps: the one that is growing and the other that is shrinking. The first is the case in Sub-Sharan Africa and South Asia (for example: Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, India and Pakistan). Another region where growth will be significant, of particular interest to the EU, is Egypt, with an increase of 21 million inhabitants. And there is the other end of the spectrum, in the parts of the world where population size is declining, for example the European Union, whose population in its 27 member states is projected to be somewhere between 498 and 529 million in 2030.
These trends have presented many opportunities. Globalisation and increased economic interdependence have accompanied and facilitated rapid economic growth in many countries and regions, helping global GDP to grow from around 50 trillion US dollars in 2000 to 75 trillion US dollars in 2016. However, globalisation has also presented significant challenges, such as unequal distribution of benefits and costs.
But why are mega trends so important and how can they help businesses and organisations? Recognising and understanding mega trends helps an organisation to identify potential threats and opportunities and react appropriately in each situation.
The Global Business Council for Sustainable Development’s 2017 Reporting Matters data shows that only four companies received top scores for the “external trends” criterion in 2017, indicating that, overall, companies fail or are “afraid” to discuss mega trends more detailed. So the bottom line for the companies shows us the mega trends really do matter. They are key elements for any business.
With other words, mega trends are the strategies that will shape our future in a way similar to a slow-moving glacier: they cannot be easily transformed by people. Actions and proper handling are the two most important elements that can transform the financial industry and bring global order. One thing is for sure, the world around us is constantly changing, and even greater changes are predicted to come in the near future that will likely shape the world differently than we know.
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