The book explores six fundamental socio-economic trends that are radically changing perspectives on the relationship between people and the world around them. It focuses on the principles of sustainability, circularity and inclusiveness and illustrates how these trends are fuelling a new economy.
In the book's chapters, several experts highlight six global trends in the economy that contribute to societal transition: digitalisation, circularity, the bio-based innovations, sharing, self-production and the internet of things and services. They show how these trends challenge the foundations and social contracts that underpin the current linear economy. They identify a new generation of business models based on key features such as collaboration within organisations, transparency and high-level coordination to ensure that economic developments contribute to a fair society. By analysing how these trends may develop in the future, they provide innovative recommendations for strategy and policy development and a conceptual toolbox for realising the economy of the future.
The book is a result of 15 years of discussions with students and social partners in the elective course Weconomy, within which the Business Administration and Geography, Planning and Environment programmes work together. Both the subject and the book encourage students to think about the future labour market and society in which they will find themselves.