Futures studies

About: Futures studies is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2996 publications have been published within this topic receiving 49505 citations. The topic is also known as: futurology & futurism.

The role of future-oriented technology analysis in e-Government: a systematic review

Abstract: During the last three decades, many governments have incorporated Information and Communication Technologies in their internal and external processes, a phenomenon widely known as electronic government (e-Government). Rationales for e-Government include increasing public services’ efficiency, speed, transparency, accountability, etc., and enhancing relations between government and stakeholders (citizens, businesses, third sector organisations). e-Government programmes are large-scale innovation projects; and Future-oriented Technology Analysis, FTA, is often used in the design of public policies in science, technology and innovation. FTA tools allow for systematic appraisal of potential challenges, opportunities, and threats, and thus informing the design of long-term strategies. The aim of this paper is to examine what a systematic literature review tells us about the application of FTA to support e-Government planning, implementation or evaluation. The review confirms that FTA played a role in supporting some e-Government initiatives, especially in their planning stages. However, few relevant exercises of this sort are reported in the English language, though the e-Government literature itself in that language- is voluminous. Previous researchers often attribute weaknesses in e-Government efforts to deficiencies in vision and strategic planning. Hopefully, this review can encourage both FTA and e-Government practitioners to apply FTA to e-Government development. This suggests that there is both opportunity and need to take greater advantage of FTA in this field.

Tomorrow's workplace: a futures approach using prospective through scenarios

Abstract: Purpose – The changes now being experienced in the workplace, driven by market pressures, changing demographics and new technologies, are real and accelerating. Since change remains the one constant when it comes to workplace planning, further transformations within the workplace over the next 20 or 30 years can be expected. Hence, this paper aims to demonstrate how to use a scenario planning futures approach in a changing, complex and uncertain workplace environment. As well as provoke thought and discussion about its long‐term future.Design/methodology/approach – At the Futures Academy in Dublin Institute of Technology, a systematic methodology for exploring and shaping the future has been developed, called the “Prospective through scenario” process. Each stage of the process is discussed in detail throughout this paper, as well as how the process is applied in the Johnson Controls workplace of the future study.Findings – The creative “futures studies” approach can deal effectively with change, uncertai...

Educating for the future: the position of school geography

Abstract: Documents about “skills for the twenty-first century” envisage an increasingly competitive, globalized and technologically advanced world that schools should prepare for by focusing on a range of “skills”. Policy documents and position papers about geographical education mainly assume that the world of the near future will be highly problematic, with many pressing issues, which is presented as legitimation for the importance of geographical knowledge and skills. Both types of future images are taken for fact and lack reflection in the documents. Futures education takes a very different approach to the future. Futures – plural since many different futures are imaginable – should be the object of teaching and learning, using powerful knowledge as well as envisioning and reflective practice. It will be argued in this article that geographical education would be enriched – and could move beyond unreflective rhetoric about “the future” – by taking the suggestions from futures education seriously. Futures-orien...