SMEs are the engines of growth and innovation globally, accounting for 99% of all businesses and employing over 60% of the workforce. However, a study conducted by the WEF in December 2022 showed that 67% of SMEs found adopting digital transformation their top challenge. Hence, continued support is vital to ensure that SMEs are provided […]
Industrialization is a pathway toward economic development as it generates employment, increases exports, and raises standards of living. Emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific are undergoing industrialization but have yet to reap the benefits of economic prosperity. The current business scenario faces unprecedented challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, high carbon emissions, pollution, and natural […]
The overall aim of this course is to establish a high-performance culture by developing the capacity of leaders in the public sector. Public-sector organizations have been undergoing major reforms in response to the increasing demand for high-quality services from citizens. This is accompanied by the need to increase accountability, customer orientation, and performance of public-sector […]
The APO assists its members in productivity efforts by developing national productivity master plans and institutional capacity-building programs and strengthening National Productivity Organiations (NPOs) for addressing challenges, including postpandemic revival, and contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development through enhancing productivity. To support these critical initiatives, the APO develops productivity practitioners in its members. The Development of […]
Farmers need to choose the most appropriate power source for any operation depending on the work to be done and on who is performing it. The level of mechanization should meet their needs effectively and efficiently (FAO, 2023). Small farmers play an important role in most developing countries and communities. Mechanization makes agricultural processes more […]
Innovation and entrepreneurship are major drivers of enhanced productivity, and the creativity and ideas of the youth are sources of inspiration. The Asia-Pacific region currently hosts the largest generation of youth in history (UNDP, 2020). However, the capabilities of young people are not always incorporated in economic activities or reflected in innovation systems. It is […]
The CSA concept represents an integrated approach to sustainably increase food security, improve agricultural productivity, enhance resilience to climate change impacts, and reduce GHG emissions. Recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change and its impact on agriculture, the COE on CSA will organize an international conference for developing and strengthening technical knowledge and skills related […]
A 2020 study conducted by the APO Center of Excellence (COE) on Smart Manufacturing found that SMEs in most APO members faced challenges in transitioning to Industry 4.0 systems. They are struggling to define the starting point to transform processes from analogue to digital. Although the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation in various industries, SMEs […]
The unemployment, underemployment, and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labor market incur social and economic losses estimated at 3–7% of GDP in Africa and Asia (ESCAP, 2020). It is crucial to be mindful of these significant expenses and to incorporate disability inclusion while designing policies to support decent work and productive employment. The […]
Fostering well-being and productivity is essential for individuals and organizations to thrive. The WHO defines "well-being" as a "positive state experienced by individuals and societies, which is determined by social, economic and environmental conditions." By recognizing the connection between well-being and productivity, workplaces can create positive environments. Understanding work–life balance, flexible work arrangements, and skill […]
The adoption of technologies is paramount for enterprises striving to gain a competitive advantage. Blockchain technologies have farreaching applications across many industries due to key features such as elimination of intermediaries, data security, and transparency. Adoption of blockchain technologies by the financial and banking sector shows that they are mature enough to be adopted by […]
UNCTAD defines creative industries as cycles of creating, producing, and distributing goods and services that use creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs focused on but not limited to culture and heritage, generating revenue from trade and intellectual property rights. Such knowledge-based activities produce tangible goods and intangible intellectual or artistic services with economic value. […]
CBSA is a holistic approach that emphasizes the participation of local communities in the planning, implementation, and management of sustainable farming practices, based on the principle that communities are best equipped to understand and address their own agricultural needs (FAO, 2018). This approach offers a number of opportunities, such as protecting the environment by implementing […]