We believe that organisations differentiate themselves by the way they think, as much as by the capabilities they offer.
Our research, or thought leadership, is the means by which we articulate and communicate our distinctive points of view and insights on key business topics and emerging trends. Based on our professional experience and rigorous analysis, the outputs of our research are aimed at creating value for our clients and key stakeholders.
We have identified three categories of insight that our clients value and around which we organise our research activities:
- Foresight provides a perspective on the business dynamics which will be critical in the future. Foresight is about the way future business uncertainties will play out.
- Outlook sets out the strategic implications of current issues and trends, and how these should be incorporated into operational strategies.
- Execution/know-how provides the tools and methodologies to support operational effectiveness. Execution/know-how is based on our knowledge of how to deliver excellence.
Our research focuses on key aspects of the global economy, and implications for industry sectors.
Research themes
Our annual
Global CEO Survey is an authoritative and respected guide to the concerns of today's business leaders. The issues which emerge during the survey process become the focal point of our research programme activities. Our latest survey,
What is success in a connected world?, looks at the ways in which CEOs balance the risks and opportunities of competing and collaborating in a world where globalisation, technology, and rapid social change are transforming the business landscape. The survey focuses on:
- The business environment
- Business confidence
- North America & Asia-Pacific
- M&A
- Global risks
- Climate change
- The impact on business models
- People & change
- Collaborative business networks
- Regulations
Research capability
Our assignment teams are drawn from all over the world, and from disciplines central to each research effort. This means that our people on the front line are ideally positioned to identify new patterns and broad economic and business trends. They put their diverse skills and in-depth knowledge — gained through client assignments, secondments and voluntary work — at the service of our thought leadership. The process demands imagination, creativity, and a willingness to ask questions relentlessly. When we find the answers, we don't simply report on them, we tell you what they mean and why they are relevant to you.
To complement these teams, we have research centres around the world to carry out rigorous qualitative and quantitative research to support our analysis of key business topics. These centres include our
Health research institute, the
PwC automotive institute, PwC's
US center for technology and innovation, the
Public sector research centre, and the
International survey unit.
Our research resources also extend beyond the walls of our firm. "Thought fellowship" offers a place for discussions and collaboration that contribute to a deeper level of understanding — and more cogent analysis — of today's key issues. To that end we work, from time to time, on select projects with a global network of business schools, such as Insead, London Business School, and Wharton Business School; research organisations like Mori; economic institutions such as the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU); and international organisations such as the World Economic Forum. Our research comes in many forms: reports, articles, white papers, books, surveys, presentations, videos, and podcasts.
