Delivering Workforce Productivity Growth

By Bhushan Sethi, Justine Brown, and Jenna Jackson

Abstract

Despite large-scale technological investment, workforce productivity growth remains low. Simplistic, backwards-looking measurement does not help drive improvement for nations, regions, industries or businesses. Organisations face an evolving business environment with the competitive pressures of building trust and seeking efficiency and profitability. Maximising the productivity benefits of technology isn’t just a case of the right investment strategy, it requires the right human skills via a motivated workforce. Policy makers should focus on five imperatives: rethink national and regional productivity measurement; accelerate technology adoption; support workforce reskilling; promote effective people management practices; and identify infrastructure impediments.