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Research

Download our research papers to learn more about how business leadership and purpose have evolved over the past 125 years.

Each research paper helps us to better see and understand where we've been and where we're going, while giving new insights as to how to navigate the changing landscape of business.

 

Four contexts of business leadership shaping the 21st century

Research: Four contexts of business leadership shaping the 21st century.

Over the last 100 years, four distinct contexts of business leadership have emerged around the globe: rationalist, humanistic, wholistic, and spiritual-based.

Each context represents a fundamental change in how we view the nature of business leadership. As we embrace and fulfill these contexts of business leadership, we believe it will naturally fuel a fundamental change in the nature of business itself, such that business and its leadership can take its rightful place in solving what seem to be the unsolvable problems in the world today.

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View or download a slideshow overview of the research

Four Contexts shaping the purpose and meaning of business in the 21st century

Research: Four contexts shaping the purpose and meaning of business in the 21st century.

The role of meaning and purpose in business has evolved and expanded over the past 125 years, continually giving new shape and dimension to the nature of business and work.

The four overarching contexts for meaning and purpose in business can be characterized as: rationalist, humanistic, wholistic and spiritual-based. Each context represents an evolution in how the leaders of an organization, as well as employees and stakeholders, create and relate to “meaning and purpose” in business and work. As we embrace and bring forth the wisdom of each of these contexts, we believe it will naturally fuel a fundamental shift of understanding about the nature of business and work itself, such that the enterprise of business and the function of work can take its rightful place in helping to evolve and fulfill humanity’s purpose.

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White paper: Learning in the Knowledge Era

Video: Learning & Development in the Knowledge Era

How do we develop professionally in the knowledge era, also known as the Intangible Era? 
   

Based on research conducted by the International Center for Vocation Education and Training (ICVET) in Australia, this video and research highlights the key factors for developing our human potential in the knowledge era. The associated white paper “Wisdom Leadership” was commissioned and written specifically for the research project.

This presentation was delivered to the CII Knowledge Management Conference in Mumbai, India, November 2008 and continues to illuminate the key elements needed to expand and evolve our current ways of professional development.

View video - "Learning & Development in the Knowledge Era"

View white paper - "Wisdom Leadership"

View full research booklet (84 pages)