Technological Inequality as a Barrier to ‘Markets of Tomorrow’: The Conflict of International Trade and the Promising Directions of Conflict Management

Abstract

Purpose: This chapter aims to address the problem and explore the process of creating the new ‘markets of tomorrow’ from the perspective of the technological inequalities arising in this context and leading to conflicts in international trade, thus prompting the creation of promising areas of conflict management.

Design/methodology/approach: The study is carried out using the comparative analysis methods through the review of analytical data, as well as using the qualitative structural and logical analysis method.

Findings: This chapter reviews the factors that determine the benefits and limits of participating in the creation of the new ‘markets of tomorrow’ in some of the world’s countries. Prospects and recommendations are identified to prevent or partially mitigate the technological inequalities constituting a barrier to the creation of new ‘markets of tomorrow’, provoking conflict in international trade and promoting the development of promising areas of conflict management.

Originality/value: The results of the study generally supported the assumption that recovery from the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic requires a comprehensive and sustained economic transformation capable of delivering economic growth that would contribute to the broader social and environmental goals to be achieved over the coming decade. Implementing such a transformation will require the active creation of ‘markets of tomorrow’ through a creative combination of disruptive technological and socio-institutional innovations. The aim is not only to produce more or in a better way but also to transform economies by creating new technological and institutional systems that can address some of today’s most pressing social problems, in particular to mitigate technological inequalities and prevent conflicts from developing.

Citation

Albekov, A.U., Galazova, S.S., Nepranov, R.G. and Litvinova, S.A. (2022), "Technological Inequality as a Barrier to ‘Markets of Tomorrow’: The Conflict of International Trade and the Promising Directions of Conflict Management", Popkova, E.G. and Chatterji, M. (Ed.) Technology, Society, and Conflict (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 30), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-832320220000030014