ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by considering the context in which organizations are operating by exploring some of the global velocity trends that are driving the acceleration of change in organizations. It identifies changes in the employee–employer relationship and examines orthodoxies for organizing the workforce in response to global drivers for change. The chapter utilizes velocity here in a broad sense, to signify the pace at which technological, social, economic, demographic and climate trends are accelerating. It discusses the trends, then goes on to explore the impact of them on the world of work. The chapter presents huge opportunities as well as threats to organizations and the people who work within them. Demographic trends are making the workforce culturally more diverse and also older and younger. Such trends are supported by the United Nations (2014) report on the 'World urbanisation prospects' which outlines that urbanization is integrally connected to the three pillars of sustainable development: economic development; social development; and environmental protection.
