Competitive private enterprise is the principal source of economic growth, wealth and jobs, but does not always lead to improved working conditions or sustainable livelihoods. In fact, at the policy level, decent work and competitive enterprises are often presented as if they are in opposition to each other. Actions that aim to improve working conditions or safety are assumed to create additional cost burdens for enterprises whereas, in fact, this type of investment can yield real business returns. This reality constitutes a ‘business case’ for improved working conditions: a ‘win-win’ argument.
Despite substantial research, the compelling business case is often ignored, and thus the many benefits that decent and responsible practices generate for enterprises, workers, communities and economies are overlooked.
This ILO inter-departmental project aims to explore and expose the evidence on the business case for responsible workplace practices, through targeted research, with the aim of strengthening the evidence base and clarifying how the argument can be applied to underpin future ILO interventions and policy guidance. It will explore, and later test, the interconnections between enterprise productivity, conditions of work and skills development, and identify cause and effect relationships found in the context of SMEs, particularly in developing countries.
Completed research: ILO contribution to the G20 Task Force on Employment
Despite substantial research, the compelling business case is often ignored, and thus the many benefits that decent and responsible practices generate for enterprises, workers, communities and economies are overlooked.
This ILO inter-departmental project aims to explore and expose the evidence on the business case for responsible workplace practices, through targeted research, with the aim of strengthening the evidence base and clarifying how the argument can be applied to underpin future ILO interventions and policy guidance. It will explore, and later test, the interconnections between enterprise productivity, conditions of work and skills development, and identify cause and effect relationships found in the context of SMEs, particularly in developing countries.
Completed research: ILO contribution to the G20 Task Force on Employment
The research plan
The ultimate objective of this project is to develop series of policy guidance papers leading to an evidence-based intervention strategy. With this in mind, it brings together ILO experts on working conditions, safety and health, skills’ development, and enterprise development, to ensure a rounded perspective on the complexity of issues involved.
During the current biennium (to December 2013) this cross-departmental team will be working together with respected research institutes on a series of research papers that review empirical evidence and lessons learned from past interventions. This research will be shared during an International Research Conference planned for May 2013.
Moving into the next biennium (2014-15), research findings will be the subject of further analysis and testing at the national level, eventually forming the basis of a finalized ILO intervention strategy and set of policy guides.
During the current biennium (to December 2013) this cross-departmental team will be working together with respected research institutes on a series of research papers that review empirical evidence and lessons learned from past interventions. This research will be shared during an International Research Conference planned for May 2013.
Moving into the next biennium (2014-15), research findings will be the subject of further analysis and testing at the national level, eventually forming the basis of a finalized ILO intervention strategy and set of policy guides.
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