As 2026 unfolds, geopolitical tension and conflict are fragmenting global trade into regional, resilience-first supply chains, while AI moves from pilot to operating model and rewards early movers. Meanwhile, new business formation and STEM talent are gravitating towards Asia Pacific and Latin America, and a wave of government tariffs, subsidies and regulation, combined with structural cost pressures, is pushing companies to automate and rebalance towards resilience over efficiency.
Delivery
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Key Findings
Geopolitics reshapes business
Trade and investment decisions are becoming more exposed to political risk. Container port traffic volume growth is forecast to slow to 2.6% in 2026, down from 4.4% in 2025, as tariffs, conflict and route disruption accelerate the shift towards regional trade corridors and friend-shoring.
Technology transforms business dynamics
AI and automation are being adopted at scale, redefining competitiveness. Around one in two professionals see new technology integration and automated solutions as the most important developments for their organisation. This is accelerating innovation while intensifying the global race for skills and talent.
Emerging markets drive new growth hubs
The centre of gravity for business expansion continues shifting towards emerging economies. New business registrations grew by 5.1% in Emerging and Developing Asia and 5.2% in Latin America in 2025 (far above developed countries’ 1.4% growth), and these economies are climbing in competitiveness rankings, attracting more capital and start-ups.
Resilience is the new efficiency
In an environment still absorbing shocks - from war-related trade disruptions to climate events - companies and countries recognise the need for built-in resilience. This means higher costs (eg duplicating suppliers or maintaining safety stocks), but also greater stability. Firms that diversify supply chains and invest in innovation are better weathering these challenges, emerging as winners in the new era.
Our expert’s view of Business Dynamics in 2026
Key findings
Automation, talent shifts and wage gaps are redefining Business Dynamics in 2026
Top five trends in Business Dynamics
Top five trends uncovered
Drivers of consumer markets and impact on Business Dynamics
Trade routes fragment as companies rebuild for resilience
PepsiCo’s Celaya plant anchors multi-region sourcing to shield Mexican snack supply
Solico builds a food factory in Dubai to strengthen food security
Business moves from single hub to redundant regional network
Industry moved from productivity pilot to enterprise rewiring
Countries with largest expenditures on R&D likely to lead AI-driven transformation
Coca-Cola AI investment sets a new benchmark for the industry
AI redraws operating business models
Business growth shifts to emerging Asia and Latin America
Asia Pacific concentrates the world's science and engineering graduates
Haleon commits its first owned India plant to anchor Asian growth
Emerging markets are redefining the global business geography
Policy shifts reshaping business decisions
Coca-Cola signals packaging pivot in response to US aluminium tariffs
EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters definitive phase
T ariffs, c arbon and l abelling: the n ew c ost of d oing business
Operating costs become structural, not cyclical
Companies reduce costs or increase prices to respond to cost
Heineken's restructuring signals a new cost reality for the brewing industry
Businesses are r ebuilding o perating m odels for a h igher- c ost e ra
SWOT analysis of Business Dynamics
Opportunities for growth
Questions we are asking
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