Business Research Themes

Data to decisions examines the enablement of data-driven decisions across organizations. Holistic, data-informed decisions require a multi-disciplinary approach that combines performance monitoring with traditional business intelligence and analytic technologies. In addition, data-driven decisions are increasingly delivered in the context of business applications rather than in separate, analytic interfaces.

Digital Safety, Privacy, and Cybersecurity is the art and science of promoting innovation while protecting information assets, including your most important assets -- your people. The digital world brings opportunities and risks that are without precedent. New business models that value information as a commodity clash with traditional security and privacy practices. Prepare to realize the full potential of the cloud, mobility, big data and the Internet of Things, without compromising the safety of the business and the privacy of your users.

Future of Work examines how enterprises adapt to new models shaped by AI, automation, demographic shifts, and changing employee expectations. This research focuses on helping leaders design organizations, cultures, and technologies that balance productivity, engagement, and resilience.

Innovation & Product-Led Growth explores how enterprises drive expansion through continuous product innovation and user-focused design. This research examines how leaders create products that solve real problems, deliver exceptional experiences, and grow organically through adoption, retention, and partner ecosystems—reducing reliance on traditional sales and marketing models.

Next Generation Customer Experience explores how enterprises move from traditional customer service models to systems of experience and personalization at scale. This research focuses on helping leaders design seamless, customer-centric journeys—powered by technologies such as cloud, mobile, data, and unified communications—to compete and thrive in the service economy.

Matrix Commerce explores how demand signals, supply chains, payments, and channels converge to create frictionless buying experiences. This research examines the pressures of evolving business models, new payment options, and regulatory demands—such as sustainability, taxation, and privacy—that reshape commerce and challenge traditional approaches.

The New C-Suite explores how executive roles evolve as technology and strategy converge. This research focuses on the priorities of today’s CxOs as they balance rapid adoption with security, harness democratized technologies, and lead transformation that creates lasting enterprise value.

Marketing Effectiveness explores how organizations shift from campaign-driven operations to growth-led, customer-first strategies. This research focuses on how CMOs and their teams harness advanced analytics, autonomous marketing engines, and cross-enterprise collaboration to put customer needs first and align marketing directly with revenue.

Technology Optimization explores how CIOs and IT leaders balance cost efficiency with innovation. This research focuses on strategies to reduce ongoing IT costs, justify new investments, and adopt technologies that both improve business performance and fund future growth.