New Ways of Working Network

This report uses scenario analysis to examine how work systems would evolve under different possible future 2010 settings—the larger context in which we will work—economics, demographics, and technologies.

The first section of the report looks at four basic trends: (1) a dramatic increase in the price of oil; (2) continuing dramatic innovation in computer and communication sciences; (3) global warming; and (4) the impact of significant demographic trends.

A second section of the report describes current work trends that will affect work in 2020:
• What will companies look like in the future?
• Corporate social responsibility
• What work will we be doing?
• Changes in how people are managed
• Business travel and sustainability
• Changes in commuting
• What will communities look like in the future?
• What will happen to offices?

The paper also contains the beginnings of two scenarios of what the future might look like: Densely Urban or Virtually Dispersed. These scenarios will be completed after input by members attending February 2010 symposium. A final version of this paper will be published in March.

The last section of the paper contains two case studies, one of a manufacturing company, and one of a technology company. These were developed by NewWOW committees to see how the scenarios might play out in those two industries. We anticipate discussing this topic in much more detail during the February 2010 symposium.