February 2, 2023
Plugging in equitably
There is a digital divide for many Black Americans—and this divide goes beyond access to broadband, find partner Kunal Modi and coauthors. While an approximately equal number of Black and White adults have smartphones and tablets, only 69 percent of Black Americans have desktop or laptop computers, compared with 80 percent of White Americans. Roughly half of Black workers have the advanced digital skills needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven economy, compared with 77 percent of White workers.
To read the article, see “Closing the digital divide in Black America,” January 18, 2023.
Battery boom
February 3, 2023
Demand for electric vehicles is expected to keep soaring. As a result, the value chain for batteries could increase by as much as tenfold by 2030 and reach annual revenue as high as USD 410 billion. To get ahead of delays and cost overruns, senior partner Martin Linder and coauthors suggest that companies consider sourcing—particularly battery manufacturing equipment and raw materials—during construction and production operations.
To read the article, see “Power spike: How battery makers can respond to surging demand from EVs,” October 18, 2022.
What have you done for me lately?
February 1, 2023
Dissatisfied workers in Europe are eyeing other opportunities, exacerbating a high job vacancy rate and skills gap. New research by senior partners Vincent Bérubé and Dana Maor and co-authors shows that workers who are employed but disengaged, or “quiet quitters,” may describe up to one-fifth of the workforce there. Higher engagement and more support factors in the workplace are key to promoting retention.
To read the article, see “European talent is ready to walk out the door. How should companies respond?,” December 12, 2022.