Future of business
In today’s technologically advanced and globalised world, industries are being disrupted, enhanced and reinvented – at an exponential pace.
The velocity of change – and its breadth and sheer impact – is being felt in almost all countries, sectors and markets. Its impact extends to entire systems of production, supply chains, distribution, and in areas of management and governance. Crises such as coronavirus and climate change are further drivers of disruption, with implications for traditional business models and global trade.
In The Future of Business series, we look at the scale of change in the industries that are driving real innovation and shaping the future of business, and consider the impact from a risk and insurance perspective.
It is not just international health crises where preparedness plays a significant role in the severity and impact of an event
The COVID-crisis is the latest incident to draw attention to supply chain vulnerabilities. The lessons are clear but how quickly will they be forgotten? asks Martin Schürz.
As weather-related events continue to rise, risk managers may turn to parametric solutions to ensure that they have the right levels of risk transfer in place
As the pressure builds to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, the role of renewable energy sources is growing ever more important
There are four main factors that risk managers, insurance managers and brokers must consider carefully when it comes to the impact that the current crisis will have.
As businesses look to protect intangible assets from interruption events such as natural catastrophes, parametric insurance products are emerging as an ideal solution to fill gaps in cover.
The future for international programmes involves speed, transparency and the need for standardised data, argues Reto Collenberg
Finding the right carrier and ensuring cover correctly placed is presenting new challenges for firms and the brokers who serve them.
Renewable energy is booming as green goals are set, and insurers must get creative to offer bespoke coverage for this unique market. But could you commit to going 100% renewable? Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is doing just that.
As the renewable energy sector is seeing its risk profile change dramatically, there is increased demand for ways to cover against arguably its greatest foe – unpredictable weather
The sheer numbers and complexity in car manufacturing supply chains make them exceptionally vulnerable. It takes a proactive approach to prevent production lines grinding to a halt
When it comes to complexity of the supply chain, the car industry is in a league of its own. While Insurers can still do more to mitigate weak spots, the industry faces a rising protection gap, says Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ Philip Brandl
Self-driving cars are speeding from the future into our present. But what effect will such tech have on the way we view transport, and crucially liability on the road? Insurers cannot afford to hit cruise control and wait to find out
The market for petroleum alternatives like electric and hydrogen is accelerating but this developing tech brings new risks to the road. Risks that offer new opportunities to insurers
The digital transformation to mechanised production is increasingly taking humans out of the equation. But effective risk prevention demands in-person site visits and in-depth dialogue
As both products and supply chains become more complex, is it surprising that recalls between manufacturers and their suppliers are more common?
Digital supply chains may promise much sought-after transparency, but they could bring more unknowns as they raise questions about data security and compliance
In the bid to mitigate the intangible manufacturing supply chain risks, Konrad Meisterhans and Thomas Keist explain how innovative approaches such as parametric solutions can complement traditional products
After a sustained push to improve the energy efficiency of homes and offices, the focus has now shifted to the construction companies that build them – and they are not performing well
Construction claims can be highly intricate and, on occasion, contentious. In such situations, being able to build trust between key stakeholders within the claims process is vital if you are to achieve successful outcomes, says Jonathan Sargent, head of wholesale property & casualty claims, EMEA, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
With growing awareness of what can go wrong with their food before it reaches their plate, consumers are demanding more. Tracking technology and sensors could provide the answer
Demand for fresh, fast, diverse food options is boosting innovation, but also unseen risks throughout the supply chain. In response comes a new age of insurance
The colossal imbalance between global hunger and food waste must be addressed. But opinions vary on the controversial measures that could feed the world
The way we get food across the globe is growing more complex, bringing unseen vulnerabilities to the supply chain, writes Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ food and agriculture expert Oleksandr Artiushyn
Advancements in train travel are notoriously slow. So it is unexpected that railways could be the root of the first significant innovation in mass passenger transit in more than a century
The world’s first fully automated vessel is expected to set off on its first unmanned voyage by 2022 and that promises to be a good thing for the environment. But the innovation comes from an unlikely corner of the marine industry
Ride-sharing apps like Uber have been both good and bad for taxi drivers. But the introduction of autonomous vehicles is likely to signal a bleak future for all professional drivers – and challenges for insurers
Climate change concerns are fuelling a change in direction as air travel industry explores environmentally friendlier alternatives. The risks of such innovation are high, but the greatest risk of all is standing still