Preface: It is always easy to induce a vivid discussion, or find cheep and cheerful yay-sayers, when binary thinking comes into action. Binary thinking is unfortunately rooted in everyone’s psychological mode of operation. If there is only black or white, it will be hard to agree on a colour as a solution to your problem. Only self-reflection and profound knowledge about your own and any of the opposing point of views will enable a debate, from which any involved party can actually benefit. Accordingly this article does neither intend to generally condemn anything centralized nor naively propagate decentralization as the panacea for any problem we are facing in this world. Instead it should give you as a reader examples, that suggest the existence of systematic inefficiencies . Not for all of them, decentralization is the most adequate solution. …
An observation of modern market conditions and the analysis of the participants’ behaviour reveals that the current generation of consumers experiences a shift of paradigms and has different preferences than previous generations. Whether changed consumer behaviour is caused by technological progress, a shift in mentality and perceptions, impacts of marketing and media or simply a mixture of different global economic factors — it’s unquestionable that what is requested right now is convenience, comfort and tailored personalized services.
Businesses recognize this trend and react immediately by providing revolutionary solutions with intense focus on user experience and service. In a sense modern markets of goods and services are characterized by an extreme and unprecedented consumer oriented approach. Independent of the sector almost every product is to an increasing extent offered “…as a service”. That is: prepared and organized meticulously with every detail designed upfront to leave potential consumers with as little of required input as possible. Good examples for “…as a service”-solutions are mobility, travelling, entertainment and accommodation. …
