There are three major external environmental influences that have had a major impact on business over the past three to five years. Data collected from six environments, including demographics, technology, soci-cultural, economic, political-legal, and global identify these three “big deltas”. The information gathered illustrates that the three big deltas are increasing interconnectivity, the changing face of America, and changing dominant world power. Unless indicated, all data points have been calculated using compound annual growth rate.
Demographics
The latest census data indicates that the demographic landscape within the United States (U.S.) has been evolving over the past decade. The population over the age of 60 has increased from 2000 to 2010 at a rate of 2.9%, whereas the population of people under the age of 60 has increased at 0.3% (2010 U.S. Census). The racial and ethnic mix of the U.S. has also evolved. From 2000 to 2010, the rate of population growth for Asians has increased at 3.88%, followed by Hispanic/Latino population growth at 3.65% (2010 U.S. Census). During the same period, the non-Hispanic white population grew by 0.12% (2010 U.S. Census).
Technology
Technological growth has been significant over the past few years across the globe. The number of science degrees within the U.S. from 2007 to 2011 grew at a rate of 2.21%, whereas the growth of science degrees in China over the same period grew at 4.7% (GMID). The use of social networking worldwide grew at a rate of 19.14% from 2007 to 2011 (ComScore, 2012). Broadband internet connections within the U.S. have grown at an increasing rate. From 2007 to 2009, the amount of broadband internet connections grew at 6.1%, but increased to a rate of 6.7% from 2009 to 2011 (GMID).
Socio-Cultural
The socio-cultural environment has changed the American workplace through increasing ethnic, racial, and gender diversity. From 2000 to 2010, the number of Hispanic workers has grown at 16.75% versus