The first week will be devoted to defining the 4 key issues that will be the subject of the conference and the following weeks will be devoted to exchange of views and ideas on the 4 issues selected. However, the ends of 'productivity growth' should not justify the means for achieving them. Yet too often productivity growth has been seen to stand at odds with the concept of 'decent work'. For achieving productivity growth has often been associated with the use of techniques which stifle, rather than release, individual talents and skills. But research has also shown that sustainable productivity enhancement stems to a significant extent from the 'high road'.
Measurement is the essence of any practice that seeks to improve productivity.
This is as true at the macro-economic as well as the corporate levels. The forum provides the opportunity of sharing what knowledge exists in this area. It should also circumscribe which issues should be the focus of the following four weeks of discussion. Productivity and competitiveness in the context of the changed markets and business environment. In the changed market environment, it is said that competitiveness in now based not just on costs alone but increasingly on quality, customer orientation, service, product differentiation, speed to market, flexibility and innovation.