6. Intelligence: Delphi

Two examples are: Loveridge and Miles 2004 and Popper and Miles (2005).

For a detailed analysis of the survey regarding challenges and thematic fields for cooperation see the ERA.Net RUS foresight report at www.​eranet-rus.​eu

The workshops had asked members to identify topics under a number of headings: Governance & mobility; Health & privacy; Industrial relations; Living conditions; Sustainability & development; and Working conditions. Those considered to be reasonable as descriptors of the Knowledge Society by 2015 were: Widespread use of ICT in e-governance enhances transparency in the procedures concerning the relationship between the citizen and the state in my country; EU policies are used to promote labour market mobility, despite resistance from individuals, trade unions and employer organisations.; Widespread use of telemedicine and on-line health monitoring systems increases the ability of people with serious chronic and age related diseases to maintain their independence; New forms of networked business organisation, that were unknown or very rare at the turn of the century, will now account for a substantial level of economic activity in my country; A major increase occurs in my country in the use of electronic networks for remote supervision of new kinds of work (teleworking, mobile working), and new atypical forms of work; Harmonisation of educational standards (including certification) across the EU increases trust and transparency in my country’s educational system; Life-long learning becomes widespread with a majority of workers undertaking more than one period of substantial retraining during their working life.; Despite social and employment policy interventions, for most workers their work-life balance deteriorates causing rising family stress and conflict; Europe has developed into a leading force in the area of sustainable development and the use of environmental technologies; Social and policy changes in my country encourage female entry into professional and technical jobs that are currently male-dominated, leading to substantial decreases in gender-related pay inequalities; and Widespread abandonment of conventional notions of retirement in my country enable the elderly to continue working if they wish to.

Work-life balance was the criterion concerning which respondents to the Delphi were least likely to anticipate positive improvements as a result of Knowledge Society developments.