How ICT will change next generation working life

Mobile and digital technologies are expanding into society, business and private life, changing how we work

New research from Ericsson Networked Society Lab shows that employers and employees focus more on value creation and end results rather than on where, when and by which methods the work is done

Quest for meaning becomes more relevant to attract talented people

Working life is changing for millions of people around the world. Mobile and digital technologies are expanding into increasingly more areas of society, business and private life, changing the way we work and how work is organized. As people become more mobile they expect greater flexibility in their work, placing greater demand on their work environment.

In the report Next-generation working life, Ericsson Networked Society Lab wanted to explore these changes and understand the most important trends. It will be crucial to understand and adapt to the changes taking place. But what are the main challenges that organizations need to address, and what are the benefits? How do you thrive in this new game?

Mikael Eriksson Bj rling, Expert Consumer Behavior, ConsumerLab at Ericsson says: Each historical era has its main source of value-creating activity. During the hunting and gathering period, for instance, this involved finding food, making fire and creating clothing. Today, new behaviors and emerging technologies are changing how work is organized. We believe ICT will be a fundamental driver of this transformation and, for us as a company, it is important to see the opportunities and be a part of this transformation.

Here are the 8 trends identified in the study:

Quest for Meaning - Instead of only focusing on compensation, benefits or the job title on a business card, it is increasingly important to contribute to society. To play a meaningful role is deemed crucial.

From Tasks to Missions - The shift to focus on value-creation marks a major change in working life. Both employers and employees focus more on actual value creation and end results, rather than on exactly where, when and by which methods the work is done.

Cultural Gravitation - People tend to seek companies with a sense of community and internal culture with which they can identify.

Two-Way Flexibility - Flexible working hours in combination with constant connectivity. People are now expecting flexibility on their town terms.

Do-Ocracy - People take greater individual responsibility for solving problems and achieving goals.

The Power of Serendipity - Organizations plan for random encounters between people with different backgrounds and competencies in order to increase the opportunities for innovative ideas.

The Exchange Place - There is a shift from storing and controlling employees in the workplace to ensuring that the exchange is meaningful and rewarding. The working environment should primarily be designed to optimize the quality of interpersonal exchange.

Consumerization - People want their work environment to be adjusted to their individual needs, with preferences and experiences from the private sphere being applied at work.

The findings in this report are based mainly on primary research. Ericsson Networked Society Lab has done a Delphi study with international experts and thought leaders from various fields of competence related to working life. We have met experts in HR and organizations as well as leading architects and business thinkers. We have also visited a number of both small and large progressive businesses in the US to see how they are organizing work.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Link to report

Link to Networked Society

Link to Working Life

Link to Networked Society: www.ericsson.com/thinkingahead/networked_society

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is a world-leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today 40 percent of the worlds mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscriptions.

We are more than 110,000 people working with customers in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2012 the companys net sales were SEK 227.8 billion (USD 33.8 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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LINK:	http://www.ericsson.com/uk/thecompany/press/releases/2013/11/1745220...
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