Intermediaries in the Future

This chapter examines the key trends in commerce, culture, and community through the lens of evolving economic, social, and technological systems. It asks three questions: What kind of futures can the process of intermediation create? How can the intermediary be involved in encouraging experimentation, innovation, and research? What skills will the intermediary need in a future where whole sectors are shrinking or being born, and occupations themselves are evolving rapidly? These issues are exemplified by considering different cases of innovation ecosystems, from the community sector to formal research and development (R&D) in a range of settings and disciplines.