A Good Disruption: Redefining Growth in the Twenty-First Century

by Martin Stuchtey, Per-Anders Enkvist, Klaus Zumwinkel

Overview

Disruptive technology is one of the defining economic trends of our age, transforming one major industry after another. But what is the true impact of such disruption on the world's economies, and does it really have the potential to solve global problems such as low growth, inequality and environmental degradation? The provocative answer is that such disruption could indeed solve many of these issues, but that it won't... at least, not on its current trajectory.

A Good Disruption highlights some of the huge costs that are at stake, and argues that managing such disruption will be the defining business challenge of the next decade. In order for us to meet that challenge, the book sets out a bold and inspirational vision for a more robust and sustainable economic model.

Rich in relevant case studies, and incorporating industry examples from around the world, A Good Disruption accomplishes the remarkable feat of synthesizing key contemporary trends into a coherent world view of how to seize the potential of our collective futures. This is essential reading for policy makers, politicians, business executives and social scientists, as well as anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the impact of disruptive technology and how it can be transformed into a major force for the global good.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472939784
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/12/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Martin R. Stuchtey is founder and managing partner of SystemiQ Ltd, a specialist for large-scale environmental programs. Previously, he worked at McKinsey in various leadership positions, most recently as Director of the Center for Business & Environment. He is a strategic advisor to the World Economic Forum and a professor for resource strategies.

Per-Anders Enkvist was a consultant with McKinsey for 15 years, for the last seven of which he was a partner in its sustainability practice. He was the global leader of McKinsey's work on climate change and a co-leader of its work on the circular economy. Per-Anders recently founded his own consultancy, Material Economics.

After 10 years as a senior partner at McKinsey, Klaus Zumwinkel became CEO of Germany's largest mail order group, and subsequently of the German postal service, now Deutsche Post DHL. He has also served on numerous boards, including Lufthansa, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Telekom.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction 1

A new narrative emerging 7

Part I Our Affair With Growth

1 Desired - celebrating growth 51

2 Fuelled - resource-based growth 57

3 Borrowed - a growth of liabilities 63

4 Lost - the great divergence 89

5 Wasted - system waste as a new resource 109

6 Broken - the unfulfilled sustainability dream 125

Part II Towards a Growth Model Fit for the Twenty-First Century

7 Three pillars of a better growth model 135

8 The 'net-positive' norm - accretive, productive, healthy 155

9 A European case example - positive for economy and environment 165

Part III The Big Disruption - Taming the Beast

10 Disruptive trends - the world at a turning point 177

11 Digitizing the physical world - the next revolution 187

12 Disrupted - for better or for worse? 199

13 Turning innovation into a force of good 207

Part IV The Great Reconciliation - How to Cross the Chasm

14 Ten years that matter - the case for change 227

15 An intuition reset - structure of a good revolution 237

16 Shaping, not gaping - government's new role 247

17 More is different - the unstoppable crowd 261

18 The new capitalist - the rise of long-term entrepreneurism 265

19 The great reconciliation - entering the upward spiral 273

20 The good singularity - not wasting our best chance 281

Part V Appendices

Appendix 1 Five perspectives on the necessary transition 287

Appendix 2 Seeds of a better economy - visiting the frontline 311

Notes 323

Bibliography 339

Index 377

Editorial Reviews

"A Good Disruption makes a compelling case for redefining economic prosperity, unlocking creativity and kickstarting regenerative cycles in the digital age." - Ellen MacArthur, Founder, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

"A Good Disruption convincingly argues that, to reconcile growth, planetary boundaries and human wellbeing, we have to step into the engine room of our industrial system and make it net positive by design. The good news is that this is no longer a dream – but a choice. A choice we must make." - Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever

" Inspired and inspirational … in its portrayal of what we can do and create if we anticipate, think, design and organize. It is beautifully written by those who know how to deliver as well as how to analyse. It is a tremendous achievement." - Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government, London School of Economics and President of the British Academy

"An essential eye-opening book for the urgently-needed paradigm shift away from the depleting economic models of today, and towards a more positive dynamic for the economy, natural resources and people." - Antoine Frérot, Chairman and CEO, Veolia

"The authors are to be doubly commended: for balancing an urgent case against the status quo with optimism about the scope for change, and for combining the call for a new global mindset with practical recommendations that we should be implementing now. Makes a compelling case for the new models of production and consumption we must surely develop." - Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, RSA

"This well-written book should be read by anyone who wants a prosperous and environmentally sustainable world." - Adair Turner

From the Publisher