Employment and quality jobs

In an effort to better understand the role policy could play in the growth of good jobs, this research programme will address four broad topics of research.

The first topic examines what we know about the link between growth and employment and whether this relationship has changed over time. Evaluating this issue naturally requires analysis of the role macroeconomic and structural policies plays in determining employment outcomes. Which instruments of macroeconomic policy are the most promising for employment creation? How can we assure that monetary and fiscal policy enhance access to finance and encourage development? What is the role of industrial and sectoral policy in determining employment outcomes? How do structural policies – such as financial or product market regulation – affect the link between growth and job creation?

The second topic looks at the role of human capital development. Youth unemployment has become a threat to the social, economic and political stability of nations. This sub-theme will explore how employers can constructively promote skill formation among young people, and what institutional set-ups and success factors could help in improving formal apprenticeship systems in three sectors with high employment potential.

All countries, irrespective to their level of economic development, have labour market regulations. As those regulations shape growth, employment performance and the quality of jobs, the third topic will identify optimal institutional and policies arrangements for enhancing both job creation and the quality of jobs in the formal and informal economies.

The fourth topic focuses on the role of SMEs in employment creation. Which policies are most favourable in fostering entrepreneurship, growing businesses and generating jobs? How is enterprise performance influenced not only by labour market regulation, but also by product market regulation?