Bridging Technology, Strategy, and Humanity: Dr. Hamid Mattiello Joins SSBM Geneva

You are the founder and theoretician of the “Tomorrow’s Age Theory.” How would you say that it helps SSBM Geneva students understand and prepare for future changes in business and technology?

The X.0 Wave / Tomorrow’s Age Theory is a comprehensive framework I have developed, articulated, and advanced since 2010 to understand and anticipate the evolution of human civilization through successive technological and cultural ‘waves’ or ‘ages,’ with each Wave/Age (X.0) representing a distinct phase of human development. Each Wave/Age (X.0) represents a new phase in human development—from the Cognitive and Agricultural Ages (X ≤ 1.0) to the Industrial (X = 2.0), Information/Post-Industrial (X = 3.0), Intelligence/AI (X = 4.0), and Human-Centered (X = 5.0) Ages, eventually leading toward the Transhuman Age (X ≥ 6.0).

We are currently living at what I define as “the first edge of tomorrow” (2020–2030)—a crucial transition period (4.0 ≤ X < 5.0) where technological acceleration must be balanced with ethics, sustainability, and human-centric values.

We are currently living at what I define as “the first edge of tomorrow” (2020–2030)—a crucial transition period (4.0 ≤ X < 5.0) where technological acceleration must be balanced with ethics, sustainability, and human-centric values.

For SSBM Geneva DBA and Post-Doc students, this theory provides both a macro-historical perspective and a strategic foresight framework to anticipate transformation, assess innovation ethically, and design resilient business solutions. It is built on key conceptual pillars:

• Knowledge–Technology–Business (KTB) Integration, aligning intellectual, digital, and strategic capital.
• The Seven Pillars of Sustainability (7PS)—Culture, Environment, Society, Economy, Technology, Education, and Politics—grounded in the ethical foundations of Peace and Love.
• Future Readiness and Resilience, helping organizations forecast, prevent, and face emerging crises.
• Bridging Non-West and West, combining Industry X.0 (X = 5.0)—Western human–machine collaboration—with Society X.0 (X = 6.0)—Non-Western inclusive intelligence—into the concept of SME X.0 / Hybrid SMEs / Tomorrow’s SMEs. 

I emphasize that the SME business economy has shifted from a traditional model to a data-driven business economy, giving rise to the concept of the “Internet of Business.” This highlights how SMEs must leverage digital infrastructures, data analytics, and AI-driven decision-making to remain competitive and sustainable in the X.0 Age.

Ultimately, the X.0 Wave / Tomorrow’s Age Theory empowers students to interpret global megatrends—such as Decarbonization, Decentralization, and Digitalization (the “21st D3 Revolutions”)—and to translate them into sustainable, ethical business strategies. This approach aligns seamlessly with SSBM’s mission of developing leaders who are not only innovative and entrepreneurial but also ethically grounded and globally responsible.

What key skills and mindsets should students develop today to succeed as ethical and innovative leaders in tomorrow’s global business world?

The leaders of tomorrow must merge strategic foresight, digital fluency, and cultural intelligence with empathy and ethical awareness. Beyond mastering technology or management tools, they must cultivate adaptability, systemic thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration—a mindset I call the “transformational mindset”, which integrates data-driven insights with emotional intelligence, sustainability, and social responsibility.

As the academic leader of the EU Erasmus+ project in Germany (2017-2020), IoE/Education and Qualifications, spanning nine EU countries, our findings indicate that SMEs, entrepreneurs, and PhD students must acquire competencies in HR management, modern digital technologies, and organizational infrastructure. These skills and competencies enable them to analyze data effectively, forecast trends, prevent risks, and respond to potential business crises. Furthermore, future leaders need gender-aware and culturally sensitive communication skills to anticipate evolving consumer behavior and leverage market intelligence for strategic decision-making.

SMEs face significant challenges in adopting digitalization, which can be grouped into four main areas:

1. Management and Mindset – Limited awareness of, or resistance to, digital adoption.
2. Organizational and Human Capital – Shortage of skilled personnel and expert resources to implement, operate, and maintain digital infrastructures.
3. Financial Constraints – Limited access to investment or credit for technology adoption.
4. External and Technical Barriers – Political, regulatory, or technical obstacles that slow transformation.

Addressing these challenges requires reliable HR and technical competencies, ensuring operational efficiency in the Industry 4.0 context:

• Tools and Technologies – Use of IoT, AI, Machine Learning, and other digital systems to monitor and control processes.
• Human Capital – Skilled professionals capable of analyzing data, maintaining standards, and implementing innovations.
• HR Competencies – Teams are able to manage infrastructures, foster innovation, and apply solutions effectively.

Developing these skills equips future leaders to anticipate, prevent, and respond to emerging challenges while balancing global strategic vision with local, culturally aware action—embodying the principle of “thinking globally and acting regionally.” In essence, students trained under this model are prepared to lead ethically, innovatively, and resiliently in the complex, rapidly evolving global business landscape of tomorrow.

What main teachings will you carry over to the students you will mentor?

As a mentor, my mission is to empower students to become visionary, responsible, and future-ready leaders—capable of bridging theory and practice. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the principle:
“Understand the patterns of yesterday, master the transformations of today, and design the sustainability of tomorrow.”

My teaching goes beyond theory; it is practical training and coaching in real-world business contexts, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Key teachings I emphasize include:

1. Global Vision, Regional Action – Think globally, act locally, and lead with purpose.
2. Historical Foresight – Draw lessons from past Waves (X.0 ≤ 1.0 to ≥ 6.0) to forecast future transformations.
3. Ethical & Sustainable Innovation – Integrate the 7PS Model to guide responsible business practices.
4. Interdisciplinary Competence – Bridge knowledge, technology, and business for holistic problem-solving.
5. Human-Centered Leadership – Prioritize peace, love, and empathy as enduring forces of progress.

Through the lens of the X.0 Wave / Tomorrow’s Age Theory, my goal is to help DBA/Doctoral/Post-Doc candidates develop a lifelong capacity for ethical foresight, strategic agility, and innovation that truly serves humanity.