Why isn’t new technology reflected in our productivity stats?
Shutterstock.com
Since the 1990s productivity has been slowing in Australia and elsewhere. We aren’t really sure why this is, but here are a couple of theories that could explain it.
2016 was a year of mixed fortunes in the development course of Africa.
Shutterstock
The ‘Africa Rising’ narrative was disturbed in 2016 by a combination of factors. But the continent is still on firm economic development footing.
Australian business confidence is falling, amid concerning signs from other economic indicators.
Dan Peled/AAP
Australia’s economic indicators are showing worrying signs, with business confidence falling in the face of continued low interest rates.
What does the Turnbull government’s establishment of a construction industry watchdog mean for workers, wages and the industry?
Lukas Coch/AAP
A group of experts dissect what the re-introduction of the ABCC means for the construction industry and its workers.
A hiker perched at the top of Tasmania’s Tarkine wilderness.
AAP Image/ Jenny Archer
the end of the mining boom has breathed new life into parts of the Tasmanian economy. But there are also several worrying indicators – like population growth and unemployment – to be addressed.
Labor’s Chris Bowen says Australian workers are doing it tough.
AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said Australian wages growth is at record lows. Is that true?
shutterstock.com
The second half of the 20th century saw explosive economic growth and also a huge increase in universities – new research shows the two are related.
If businesses meet the needs of their employees they will feel like they are growing and will be more productive, research suggests.
www.shutterstock.com
Happy employees, whose basic needs are met, are essential to a productive business.
shutterstock.com
An increasing number of companies have well-being policies, but some can do more harm than good.
Better office design is not just about shaping space around tasks we do.
www.shutterstock.com
Business Briefing: a better to design an office
The Conversation 13.9 MB (download)
Research shows that many building codes don't designate the maximum number of people that should fit in an office, but that's not the only problem with standard office design.
Waiting for Superman.
Zoltan Gabor/Shutterstock
Britain’s central bank governor Mark Carney is like a prize fighter throwing his last, limp punches.
original.
Business Briefing: what to do about low incomes
The Conversation 10.5 MB (download)
Australia needs to increase productivity in different ways because at the moment living standards are low compared to past years.
Are we slaves to futile endeavour?
Presidio of Monterey/Flickr
Work, consume, die. The relentless drive for improvements in our workplaces brings unexpected costs.
Getting production in perfect sync.
Arthur John Picton/Flickr
A wave of technological innovation has started to fundamentally alter how we make stuff. It signals an era of huge change.
Should we be forced to work at home?
www.shutterstock.com
France is introducing a ‘right to disconnect’ law, but it may struggle to get businesses in line.
Computers aren’t a magical silver bullet for learning.
Shutterstock
Schools are focusing on the wrong objective when it comes to using technology in their classrooms. They should focus just as much on how they teach.
Under construction: it’s extremely hard to measure productivity in construction or any other sector.
AAP Image/Richard Wainwright
Voters will hear a lot about productivity in the lead up to the budget. The key thing to remember is that it’s a very rubbery concept, enormously tricky to measure and highly politicised.
Heave ho.
shutterstock.com
The UK’s productivity problem has the country lagging behind its G7 peers. An overlooked solution is to empower workers.
Big data, what can it do for us - and when?
Novelo/shutterstock.com
We need the skills to put big data to use before others leave us behind.
There are definite costs of mental illness in the workplace but the return on investment in a mentally healthy workplace can be a big boost to the bottom line.
Rob/flickr
New data shows Australians are spending more on mental health services and with costs to business in the millions, it’s time employers realised good mental health is good for the bottom line too.