Digitalization of employers and business membership organizations

Where do Business Organisations Stand on the Road to Digitalisation? A look at Latin America

This report, prepared by the ILO Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP), aims to assist Latin American business organizations (EBMOs) in their journey towards digitalisation, based on information and responses provided by the EBMOs themselves, as well as interviews with business representatives who shared their experiences in their journey towards digitalisation.

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Although digital transformation of several EBMOs was already underway, lockdowns and remote work accelerated the pace toward greater digitalisation. According to a survey conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), by 2020, 80% of EBMOs worldwide had adapted their services due to the pandemic, with digitalisation as the main change. In the case of the Americas, the rate reported was 97%, the highest in the world.

Due to this acceleration and considering efforts made in the region prior to COVID-19, it was considered appropriate to review EBMOs’ situation regarding their digital journey, with a view to exploring new routes of action moving forward. As was to be expected, the research conducted showed the diversity of the community of EBMOs (national, sectoral, regional) in Latin America, confirming that not all of them are at the same level of development regarding their respective journeys to digitalisation. However, this opens a wide range of opportunities for them to learn from each other.

Technical Notes

Below you will find the Technical Notes of notable experiences identified during the research conducted for the preparation of the 2022 Regional Report “Where do Business Organisations Stand on the Road to Digitalisation? A look at Latin America”. These Notes are intended to inspire other employers’ organizations in their transition toward digitalization.

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