Whatever the prevailing societal trends, they often involve some form of transition or focus area with varying time horizons. So what are the main challenges facing companies and organizations in Sweden in the coming years?
Maintaining competitiveness requires continuous improvement of products, services and processes in all types of businesses. With changing conditions in the world around us come new opportunities and threats that companies and organizations have to deal with.
Ranking of the challenges that are expected to be the most important in the next five years
In spring 2018, around 500 qualified representatives from the industrial and service sectors, public authorities, municipal and county council operations and the non-profit sector were given the opportunity to participate in the study, which was carried out in three stages. Based on their collective experience of operations in Sweden, the participants ranked and motivated the challenges that are expected to be the most important in five years' time. The outcome can be described in a number of categories or areas of interrelated challenges. How well companies and organizations handle these challenges will most likely have a major impact on the degree of success and goal achievement.
This national, cross-sector study aims to provide an up-to-date picture of the main challenges that leaders and employees can and should prepare for. The ambition is also to seek knowledge that supports the development of organizations in areas where the answers are not currently given.
The study has been initiated by SQMA - Swedish Quality Management Academy, consisting of researchers from nine Swedish universities and colleges and SIQ, the the Swedish Institute for Quality. Through needs-driven research, SQMA acts as a bridge between science and practical application.
Stefan Krook, CEO of Kivra:
- "As the study shows, one threat can be short-termism, and to meet this challenge it is important to seek opportunities to become sustainable in all dimensions," comments Stefan Krook, CEO of Kivra and one of the business leaders who spoke in the study. "It's also about having long-term owners, constantly seeking happy-happy collaborations and striving for balance in the lives of our employees.
Lena Olving, CEO of Mycronic:
- Digitalization is something that all companies need to deal with. We have chosen to look at how this development can strengthen our operations and business. This includes, for example, our offering to customers, internal efficiency and competence assurance," comments Lena Olving, CEO of Mycronic, in the study.
