What are the main trends that will shape the future of businesses?

Answer from top 10 papers

The major mega trends in future businesses encompass a variety of transformative forces. Dr et al. (2020) identifies changing demographics, the geographic distribution of businesses, and the evolving nature of entrepreneurship as key trends. Similarly, Saha (2015) highlights the influence of mega-events, government policies, local entrepreneurship, and market potential on multinational hotel investments in China. Yan et al. (2023) discusses the deployment of satellite mega-constellations (SatCons) and their potential to enhance innovation and productivity across industries. Guillet et al. (2010) focuses on demographic, behavioral, cultural, and socioeconomic factors shaping the transport workforce. Sergi et al. (2019) predicts the impact of digitalization on accounting, emphasizing the role of blockchain, big data, agile organizational models, and artificial intelligence. Pomoni et al. (2020) provides insights into current business trends and future expectations in the United States, particularly regarding prices, employment, and revenue. Foundation et al. (2017) describes the evolution of the integrated circuit industry through new business strategies and technological advancements. Buffington et al. (2023) examines the shift from traditional economic measures to new metrics that capture the broader impact of ICT on happiness and welfare. Dong (2023) reviews the transformation of the global business landscape due to e-commerce, while Watanabe et al. (2016) explores the pervasive effects of digital transformation on enterprises and society.
Interestingly, while these papers collectively identify a range of trends, they also reveal a common theme of technological advancement and digital transformation as pivotal to future business developments (Dong, 2023; Foundation et al., 2017; Sergi et al., 2019; Watanabe et al., 2016; Yan et al., 2023). Additionally, the role of government policies and global events in shaping business strategies is a recurring observation (Buffington et al., 2023; Saha, 2015).
In summary, the future of businesses is being shaped by technological innovation, digital transformation, demographic shifts, and the interplay of global events and government policies. These mega trends suggest a future where businesses must adapt to a rapidly changing landscape, leveraging new technologies and responding to evolving market dynamics to remain competitive (Buffington et al., 2023; Dong, 2023; Dr et al., 2020; Foundation et al., 2017; Guillet et al., 2010; Pomoni et al., 2020; Saha, 2015; Sergi et al., 2019; Watanabe et al., 2016; Yan et al., 2023).

Source Papers

Digital Accounting trends of the future – a behavioral analysis

The academic accounting literature usually applies a retrospective approach in capturing reality. Accounting topics are explored considering past implementation in the economic practice in a ‘backtesting’ approach. This is very much criticized outside academia, as academia may thereby miss the practical relevance due to this backward approach. Accounting in academia is said to therefore fail to treat real practical business issues on time as for lacking the intention to perform any predictive statements. Accounting is the language of business, however, the landscape of business is changing dramatically at breakneck speed with a technological disruption ongoing in the wake of the artificial intelligence, algorithms and robotics introduction into our contemporary economy. This paper intends to follow a prospective approach and future-oriented direction in attempting to predict the future of digital accounting. The main research question is how accounting will be impacted by digitalization and how will the dynamic business in reverse impact the future of accounting? The method applied is a qualitative. In a focus group, in which accounting experts were asked to brainstorm on future trends with regards to accounting, four mega trends were identified. Those four mega trends are: (1) Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology, (2) Big Data, (3) Agile organizational model and (4) artificial intelligence, which are analyzed applying a behavioral approach in this paper to assess from which accounting will be the most impacted and how. The discussion reflects on the fact that the digital accounting revolution may be completely novel as – for the very first time in a historical line of economic disruptions and market innovations – this time decision making will be given up to algorithms. The results of this conceptual paper are structured applying Scott’s model of Financial accounting to the four mega trends. The final outlook projects the need for measuring economic growth differently and legally prepare for a preponderance of artificial agents. The paper is of unprecedented value in a current market of rising corporate debt as the outlook can aid the integration of novel economic growth features derived from the new economy that are not accounted for in neither standard economic growth theory nor accounting standards.

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Operationalization of un-captured GDP - Innovation stream under new global mega-trends

With the understanding that current ICT-driven global development depends on a trend shifting from traditional co-evolution of computer-initiated ICT, captured GDP, and economic functionality to new co-evolution of the Internet, un-captured GDP, and supra-functionality beyond economic value, the following hypothetical view was postulated:The disparity between the world's ICT leader countries with respect to happiness/welfare amidst great stagnation (Finland) or conspicuous economic growth (Singapore) can be attributed to the difference of the state in the above shifting trends.The foregoing hypothetical view was demonstrated on the basis of an empirical analysis measuring dependency on un-captured GDP, which is a key factor identifying the state of the shifting trends. This dependency is based on a comprehensive review of the consequences of three mega-trends that lead to the respective co-evolution and on the review of the development of trajectories relevant to these mega-trends.Noteworthy findings were obtained on the consequences of the development trajectory option, particularly on the shift from traditional co-evolution to new co-evolution resulting in differences in interactive return gain structure. Also significant policy suggestions essential for identifying government/business roles in the context of new innovation stream were received. The importance of transferring government ability in innovation, collaboration and absorption to business was stressed, as this creates a virtuous cycle between “muscular” economic environment development and increase in the “muscularity” of indigenous firms.

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