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The impact of futures skills on decision-making: A dairy company case study

This study analyses the work between a global dairy company and a corporate foresight consultancy over a four-year, three-project span. It evaluates the development of two primary futures skills: anticipation and cognitive flexibility, and their impact on decision-making. This study was conducted by employing a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with company personnel involved in these projects. The interviews covered the participants’ experiences, the use of the selected futures skills, and the impact on decision-making. The interviews were coded, and emergent themes were identified and refined. While there were no direct changes to decisions because of the projects, the futures work has influenced the participants’ futures skills, namely anticipation and cognitive flexibility. This influence, in turn, had a discernible impact on their decision-making processes and the company’s decision-making culture.


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