Supporting Workplace Learning for High Performance Working

In this book, written by David Ashton and Johnny Sung, the ILO is responding to the widespread interest in learning and training in high performance work organizations (HPWOs) and has taken up the challenge of identifying and documenting these innovative practices. The book looks at many aspects of workplace learning and training and considers these aspects from the perspective of workers as well as employers, including the prospective benefits for the different parties. It also examines the role governments can play in fostering high performance work practices and, in particular, encouraging enterprises to make better use of their employees’ skills. This book contributes to the ILO’s strategic objective of creating greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent work. The HPWOs create the scenario for a win-win outcome: the companies benefit through increased productivity, and the employees gain through improved quality of working life – decent employment – and increased remuneration compared to more traditional enterprises. The recent research, for the first time, shows how high performance work practices increase productivity. The book also shows that employees in HPWOs often have more stable employment and that equity issues are dealt with in a more open and fair manner due to the commitment of managers and workers alike. Mutual trust is an essential element of high performance work practices.