Trend is a general tendency or direction of a development or change over time. It can be called a megatrend if it occurs at global or large scale. A trend may be strong or weak, increasing, decreasing or stable. There is no guarantee that a trend observed in the past will continue in the future.
Megatrends are the great forces in societal development that will very likely affect the future in all areas over the next 10-15 years. Megatrend is also defined as a large, social, economic, political, environmental or technological change that is slow to form. Once in place, megatrends influence a wide range of activities, processes and perceptions, both in government and in society, possibly for decades. They are the underlying forces that drive trends. (i.e. aging population)
A trend – in contrast – is an emerging pattern of change likely to impact large social groups or even state government and require a response. “Trends are experienced by everyone and often in more or less the same contexts insofar as they create broad parameters for shifts in attitudes, policies and business focus over periods of several years that usually have global reach. What is interesting about trends is that normally most players, organizations or even nations cannot do much to change them – they are larger than the power of individual organizations and often nation states as well” (e.g. urbanization, demographic change)
Drivers are defined as developments causing change, affecting or shaping the future. A driver is the cause of one or more effects, e.g. increasing sugar intake in our daily food consumption is a driver for obesity.
An issue is a controversial, debatable or “hot” topic or an innovative state action. (i.e. block chain)
Definitions adapted from:
Council of State Governments (USA): http://www.csg.org/events/annualmeeting/policy_sessions_am09/SSL_agendapdfs/TransportationSSL.pdf
Saritas O., Smith J. (2011, p. 294): The Big Picture – trends, drivers, wild cards, discontinuities and weak signals, Futures, 43(3): 292-312, and
from ‘Global Foresight Glossary and Drivers of Change in Ecosystems and Their Services’. http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/315951/Glossary%20of%20Terms.pdf
FAQs
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The new report examines five megatrends: climate change; demographic shifts, particularly population ageing; urbanization; the emergence of digital technologies; and inequalities –that are affecting economic, social and environmental outcomes.
What are drivers of a trend? ›
Trend Drivers are factors that influence and ignite a trend. Influences from the broader social and cultural landscape determine a particular design trend or narrative.
What are the five drivers of the responsible business megatrend? ›
Key findings
- Shifting Economic Power. Rapid economic growth in emerging and developing markets is forging new openings for investors who are keen on diversifying away from stagnating advanced economies. ...
- Population Change. ...
- Environmental Shifts and Pressures. ...
- Technological Advances. ...
- Changing Values.
Some examples of drivers of change are technological developments, social movements, environmental issues, economic fluctuations, political events, and consumer trends. Drivers of change can have direct or indirect impacts on your market, and they can create opportunities or threats for your business.
What is megatrend in trends? ›
a major movement, pattern or trend emerging in the macroenvironment; an emerging force likely to have a significant impact on the kinds of products consumers will wish to buy in the foreseeable future.
What are the 5 mega trends you should know about ways to change the world? ›
Five Megatrends
- Megatrend 1: Demographic change. Aging society. Population development by age (bn, CAGR)a) ...
- Megatrend 3: “Glocalization” From globalization to glocalization. Ratio of global goods traded to global industrial production (Index 01/1991 = 100) c) ...
- Megatrend 5: Digitalization. Digital transformation continues.
The 5 Drivers are:
- Please Me!
- Be Strong!
- Hurry Up!
- Try Hard!
- Be Perfect!
The Reasons the 5 Business Driver Model is Successful
The book outlines five key business drivers (cash, profit, assets, growth and people) that we've taught to thousands of employees in hundreds of companies over the past 14 years.
What are the five major kinds of drivers? ›
The five major kinds of drivers, all based on changes that are leading international firms to the globalization of their operations, include political, sociocultural, technological, market, and competitive drivers.
What are the megatrends in 2024? ›
Megatrends like continued trust in democratic processes, adverse climate change implications, risks from technology, middleclass behavioral shifts, and changes in health priorities, will redefine mankind's domain (the earth).
Megatrends both impact and depend on four factors that are the source of this continuous interplay: economic, sociopolitical, ecological, and technological factors.
What are the five mega trends of PwC? ›
PwC has identified five global megatrends that are permanently changing the world: climate change, technological disruption, demographic shifts, fragmented world and social instability. These are structural developments that confront citizens, businesses, organisations and governments with major issues and dilemmas.
What drives trends? ›
Business trends are often the result of consumer behavior changes, market demands, economic fluctuations, political events, regulatory changes, and technological advances.
What are the factors driving the trend? ›
Trends are patterns of change that affect consumer behavior, preferences, and expectations. They can be influenced by various factors, such as social, cultural, economic, technological, environmental, and political forces.
What are megatrends today? ›
Probably the most important global megatrend today and in the future is climate change. The intensity of extreme weather increases and will continue to increase over the coming decades; this means that new systems need to be built to adapt to extreme rainfalls and droughts.
What are the key global megatrends? ›
There are six key megatrends: Geopolitical tensions, climate change and nature, persistent inequity, polarised perspectives, an ageing and changing population, and the accelerating technology landscape.
What are the mega trends of the United Nations? ›
Progress has also been subject to the influence of several megatrends shaping our world over time. The present report focuses on five of these megatrends: climate change; demographic shifts, particularly population ageing; urbanization; the emergence of digital technologies and inequalities.
