ABSTRACT
Researchers interested in making their work of “practical value” need to answer basic questions: What is the state of the market right now? What will the future hold, and what practical needs will emerge? And finally, how can we position ourselves to meet these practical needs? This chapter focuses on these questions. We first assess the current trends in the academic marketplace (as it is broadly construed). Then, we speculate on the future trends that will be significant for the United States over the next 5 to 20 years that will affect business and academia. Included are the implications of these trends for academic research. Finally, we conclude by suggesting to researchers ways in which they can position their work to meet the practical needs of the future.
