The Need for an Integral Assessment in Corporate Training

How to properly measure the effects of employee training carried out by multinational enterprises in developing countries remains a relevant topic of research, among other reasons, because of the potential of poverty reduction and other long-term effects. Because of that potential, international organizations are supporting training efforts conducted by multinational enterprises. In this paper we discuss the need for integral assessment of corporate training efforts, especially those carried out with the support of international organizations. Integral assessment entails assessing the impact of training in and outside the factory. The latter focuses on trust, job satisfaction, and civic engagement of workers. Proper assessment of training initiatives measures the comprehensive impact of training and its connection to the promotion of the well-being of workers and of sustainable development. We apply this integral assessment understanding to the case of Better Work, an initiative of the International Labor Organization and the International Finance Corporation. Our results indicate that Better Work training is generating knowledge acquisition among workers and improving interactions within the factory. Importantly, it also appears that training is producing changes outside of the factory: trainees seem more engaged in their communities and interested in participating in civic efforts including joining political activity and neighborhood associations. Keywords: On-the-Job Training, Evaluation, Development, Garment Industry, Better Work, Labor, Industrial Relations DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-12-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2023