New Work: The influence of megatrends and business model innovations on work in the skilled trades of the future

Major study on the skilled trades conducted jointly with university institute

The Institute for SMEs and Craft Trades at Allensbach University was involved in a research project funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism as part of the "Zukunftsinitiative Handwerk 2025". The study entitled "New Work: The influence of megatrends and business model innovations on work in the skilled trades of the future - illustrated by the carpentry trade and with recommendations for action for companies, skilled trades organizations and politicians" has now been published.

In order to determine the effects of these megatrends on the skilled crafts sector, the Baden-Württemberg skilled crafts sector has initiated a study project entitled "New Work: The influence of megatrends and business model innovations on the work in the skilled crafts sector of the future - specifically on the carpentry trade and with recommendations for action for companies, skilled crafts organizations and politics" under the project management of the Constance Chamber of Skilled Crafts. According to the Constance Chamber of Crafts, the project was funded with 84,500 euros as part of the Future Initiative Crafts 2025 of the state of Baden-Württemberg.

The study was conceptually and scientifically managed by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wagenmann, head of the Institute for SMEs and Crafts at the Allensbach University of Applied Sciences Konstanz. "Some trade businesses don't even have the topics of megatrends, future strategy and business model innovation on their radar yet, as they still think they are in their comfort zone. However, as soon as the pressure to adapt starts to hurt noticeably, it will be too late to adapt in many cases," says the expert. "So it's also about raising awareness. However, there will also be different strategies for the future depending on the trade. Using the carpentry trade as an example, we are demonstrating the approach as part of the project, which can then serve as a blueprint for all other trades."

(Read on and download the study)