Concepts and Definitions
What is the basic formula for productivity?
Output divided by input (e.g., goods/services per labour hour)
Which framework links efficiency with equity and voice?
Befort and Budd’s Employment with a Human Face framework.
What is a common reason employer groups support productivity-focused reforms?
To justify deregulation and reduce union influence.
What was the name of the major Australian megaproject discussed by Ellem?
The Gorgon Project.
According to the notes, what distinguishes efficiency from productivity?
Efficiency includes optimal resource use, fairness, and sustainability—not just output/input ratios
What does Budd argue public policy should aim to correct in the labor market to enhance efficiency?
Market imperfections.
Who tends to define productivity more narrowly in policy debates: unions or employers?
Employers
What is one reason productivity varies across industries in Australia?
Industry-specific factors like technology, management, and workforce composition.
Name two types of productivity other than labour productivity.
Capital productivity and multi-factor productivity.
According to Peetz (2015), what’s one major flaw in using productivity to assess IR policy outcomes?
It overlooks job quality, well-being, and sustainability.
According to the Safer Jobs and Better Pay Review, what are two reasons the IR-productivity debate is ‘unsophisticated’?
Lack of clear definitions and reliance on ideological arguments.
What aspect of the Fair Work Act 2009 affects productivity in greenfields agreements?
Agreements must be made with unions.
Why might an increase in productivity not lead to improved efficiency?
Because it can come from longer hours or job cuts without improving processes or outcomes.
Ellem argues that productivity issues in megaprojects are often blamed on unions. What does he say is the actual problem?
Mismanagement, poor work organisation, and project complexity.
How do Peetz and Ellem both critique the role of productivity in IR debates?
They argue it’s often a political tool used to serve profit agendas, not actual efficiency improvements.
According to the Safer Jobs and Better Pay Review, whose voices dominate the national productivity debate?
Employers, business groups, lobbyists, and political actors, while workers and academics are sidelined.