World Economic Forum: A View from the Very Top

Jan. 22, 2016
Even in as picture perfect a setting as Davos, Switzerland, the rumblings of political and economic turmoil were sounding in the public and private meetings of the World Economic Forum.

Even in as picture perfect a setting as Davos, Switzerland, the rumblings of political and economic turmoil were sounding in the public and private meetings of the World Economic Forum.

No one reading economic predictions should be surprised at the anxiety creeping into the annual rendevous of the world's rich and powerful. After its worst year since 2008, Wall Street has seen stocks plunge 8% since the beginning of 2016. The International Monetary Fund scaled back its outlook for the year, now projecting global growth of 3.4% in 2016 and 3.6% in 2017.

On January 19, Dennis Nally, chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers International, announced at Davos that just 27% of global CEOs surveyed believe world economic growth will improve over the next 12 months. That's a decline of 10 points from 2015. Perhaps even more troubling for this usually optimistic group, just 35% expect their company to grow in 2016, down 4 points from last year.

Business and political leaders had a bevy of "big" issues to consider, including the rapid digital and physical convergence of data and advanced technology that WEF Founder Klaus Schwab labeled the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" (it seemed like just yesterday it was the third). Here are some highlights of the discussion.

Sponsored Recommendations

Meet the iBase-t Experts: Introduction

Sept. 15, 2023
iBase-t sat down to have a candid conversation with their CEO, Naveen Poonian, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense, Pamela Schweppe and Sr. Manager, Customer Experience, Holly...

2023 IW Web Survey Contest Rules

June 30, 2022
Online Contest Rules 1. Introduction: IndustryWeek ("Sponsor") is offering the Online Contest ("Contest"). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING...

A Quick Solumina MES Product Demo

Sept. 15, 2023
View this quick demo of iBase-t’s Solumina MES solution designed specifically for complex discrete manufacturers to help improve operational agility, standardize production processes...

Are you still fighting digital transformation?

April 19, 2023
Resistance to corporate digital transformation is still a reality even though the concept of simulation and digital technology has existed for decades, just not as a primary means...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!