Can better working conditions improve the performance of SMEs? An international literature review

Book


Croucher, R., Stumbitz, B., Quinlan, M. and Vickers, I. 2013. Can better working conditions improve the performance of SMEs? An international literature review. Geneva, Switzerland International Labour Organization.
TitleCan better working conditions improve the performance of SMEs? An international literature review
AuthorsCroucher, R., Stumbitz, B., Quinlan, M. and Vickers, I.
Abstract

This study reviews the literature on the link between working conditions, safety and health and skills development, on the one hand, and increased productivity on the other, with a specific focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The writers find research evidence of an association between good workplace practices and various types of positive enterprise-level outcomes. These positive outcomes include reduced employee turnover, improved profitability and higher levels of customer satisfaction.
The literature surveyed consists in the main of studies of high-income economies and rather than unpacking the influence of different practices these studies serves to affirm that practices have best results when they are employed together. So, for example, a coherent ‘bundle of practices’ , combining good occupational safety and health and training with improved working hours and wages will generally improve productivity, innovation and employee retention. The review also finds evidence of a cause and effect, suggesting that better management practices lead to improved business outcomes rather than vice versa.
Despite all of the above, the review highlights that more research is needed. In particular, the researchers note the lack of literature analysing the complexity of the relationship between working conditions, safety and health, skills development, and firm outcomes. They also note the need for research in this area in developing and emerging economies.

Keywordsworking conditions / occupational safety / occupational health / labour productivity / small enterprise / literature survey
Research GroupEmployment Relations group
ISBN
Hardcover9789221275503
PublisherInternational Labour Organization
Place of publicationGeneva, Switzerland
Publication dates
Print2013
Publication process dates
Deposited25 Nov 2013
Output statusPublished
Additional information

Ebook ISBN: 9789221275510

Web address (URL)http://www.ilo.org/empent/Publications/WCMS_227760/lang--en/index.htm
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/8492x

  • 46
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

EDI and postgraduate research: report on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion review of postgraduate research at Middlesex University
Pizzolato, N., Saini, R., Stumbitz, B. and Sotiropoulou, P. 2024. EDI and postgraduate research: report on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion review of postgraduate research at Middlesex University. Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.60528/1qw7q5
Collective capabilities for organizational democracy: the case of mutual social enterprises
Vickers, I., Lyon, F. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2024. Collective capabilities for organizational democracy: the case of mutual social enterprises. British Journal of Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12840
Social Enterprise: Market Trends 2019
Owen, R., Lyon, F., Vickers, I. and Gottschalk, S. 2021. Social Enterprise: Market Trends 2019. London DCMS.
Public service mutuals: transforming how services are delivered through social enterprise and democratic governance
Vickers, I., Lyon, F., Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and Brennan, G. 2022. Public service mutuals: transforming how services are delivered through social enterprise and democratic governance. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Rural social enterprise: contributions, challenges and support needs
Vickers, I., Owen, R., Lyon, F. and Darko, E. 2022. Rural social enterprise: contributions, challenges and support needs. Newcastle Newcastle University.
Social enterprises and their ecosystems in Europe
Stumbitz, B., Vickers, I. and Lyon, F. 2019. Social enterprises and their ecosystems in Europe. Luxembourg European Union. https://doi.org/10.2767/330252
A Southern encounter: Maternal body work and low-income mothers in South Africa
Stumbitz, B. and Jaga, A. 2020. A Southern encounter: Maternal body work and low-income mothers in South Africa. Gender, Work and Organization. 27 (6), pp. 1485-1500. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12527
Newham working student pilot project summary report
Clark, N., Keles, J., Stumbitz, B. and Woodcock, J. 2020. Newham working student pilot project summary report. London, UK Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.12937253.v1
Implementing democratic governance and ownership: the interplay of structure and culture in public service social enterprises
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Lyon, F. and Vickers, I. 2020. Implementing democratic governance and ownership: the interplay of structure and culture in public service social enterprises. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. 31 (3), pp. 627-641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-020-00201-0
Maternity protection in formal and informal economy workplaces: The case of Ghana
Stumbitz, B., Lewis, S., Kyei, A. and Lyon, F. 2018. Maternity protection in formal and informal economy workplaces: The case of Ghana. World Development. 110, pp. 373-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.06.007
'Social enterprise spin-outs': an institutional analysis of their emergence and potential
Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Lyon, F. and Vickers, I. 2018. 'Social enterprise spin-outs': an institutional analysis of their emergence and potential. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management. 30 (8), pp. 967-979. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2018.1431391
Research on work and family – some issues and challenges
Lewis, S. and Stumbitz, B. 2017. Research on work and family – some issues and challenges. in: Liebig, B. and Oechsle, M. (ed.) Fathers in Work Organizations: Inequalities and Capabilities, Rationalities and Politics Opladen Barbara Budrich. pp. 227-245
Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth
Vickers, I., Andrea, W., Roger, S., Brennan, G. and Syrett, S. 2017. Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Maternity management in SMEs: a transdisciplinary review and research agenda
Stumbitz, B., Lewis, S. and Rouse, J. 2018. Maternity management in SMEs: a transdisciplinary review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews. 20 (2), pp. 500-522. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12143
Public service innovation and multiple institutional logics: the case of hybrid social enterprise providers of health and wellbeing
Vickers, I., Lyon, F., Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and McMullin, C. 2017. Public service innovation and multiple institutional logics: the case of hybrid social enterprise providers of health and wellbeing. Research Policy. 46 (10), pp. 1755-1768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2017.08.003
Sub-post offices and high street revitalisation: lessons from the experience of grant assistance to sub-post offices in deprived urban areas of the UK
Owen, R., North, D. and Vickers, I. 2015. Sub-post offices and high street revitalisation: lessons from the experience of grant assistance to sub-post offices in deprived urban areas of the UK. Local Economy. 30 (4), pp. 435-451. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094215586958
Opening access to administrative data for evaluating public services: The case of the Justice Data Lab
Lyon, F., Gyateng, T., Pritchard, D., Vaze, P., Vickers, I. and Webb, N. 2015. Opening access to administrative data for evaluating public services: The case of the Justice Data Lab. Evaluation. 21 (2), pp. 232-247. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389015577507
Process of social innovation in mutual organisations: the case of social enterprises leaving the public sector
Lyon, F., Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Vickers, I., McMullin, C. and Gregory, D. 2013. Process of social innovation in mutual organisations: the case of social enterprises leaving the public sector. in: Social frontiers: the next edge of social innovation research NESTA.
Maternity protection in SMEs: an international review
Lewis, S., Stumbitz, B., Miles, L. and Rouse, J. 2014. Maternity protection in SMEs: an international review. Geneva International Labour Organization.
Beyond green niches? Growth strategies of environmentally-motivated social enterprises
Vickers, I. and Lyon, F. 2014. Beyond green niches? Growth strategies of environmentally-motivated social enterprises. International Small Business Journal. 32 (4), pp. 449-470. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242612457700
Social entrepreneurship shaped by the life course: a case study of older social entrepreneurs in the UK
Stumbitz, B. 2013. Social entrepreneurship shaped by the life course: a case study of older social entrepreneurs in the UK. PhD thesis Middlesex University Business School
SMEs in a low carbon economy: final report for BERR enterprise directorate.
Vickers, I., Vaze, P., Corr, L., Kasparova, E., Lyon, F. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2009. SMEs in a low carbon economy: final report for BERR enterprise directorate. London Department for Business, Innovation & Skills..
Review of the enterprise promotion fund
Vickers, I., Owen, R., Etherington, D., North, D. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. Review of the enterprise promotion fund. Small Business Service..
Cultural influences on health and safety attitudes and behaviour in small firms.
Vickers, I., Owen, R., Smallbone, D., James, P., Ekanem, I., Bertotti, M. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2003. Cultural influences on health and safety attitudes and behaviour in small firms. London Health & Safety Executive Research Report, HSE Books.
Evaluation of the deprived urban post office fund.
North, D., Vickers, I., Owen, R., Ekanem, I. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2005. Evaluation of the deprived urban post office fund. London Office of the Deputy Prime Minister..
Local alchemy in the East Midlands
Vickers, I. 2007. Local alchemy in the East Midlands. in: North, D., Syrett, S. and Etherington, D. (ed.) Political devolution, regional governance and tackling deprivation York, UK Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Policy support for R and D in SMEs: the UK government’s SMART award scheme.
Smallbone, D., North, D., Vickers, I. and McCarthy, I. 2000. Policy support for R and D in SMEs: the UK government’s SMART award scheme. in: During, W., Oakey, R. and Kipling, M. (ed.) New technology-based firms at the turn of the century. Oxford Pergamon. pp. 143-159
SMEs and the innovative capability of regions: London’s Lee Valley region in a European context
North, D., Smallbone, D. and Vickers, I. 2003. SMEs and the innovative capability of regions: London’s Lee Valley region in a European context. in: Kirby, D. and Watson, A. (ed.) Small firms and economic development in developed and transition economies: a reader Aldershot Ashgate.
Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies.
North, D., Syrett, S., Etherington, D., Vickers, I. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Regional technology initiatives: some insights from the English regions
Vickers, I. and North, D. 2000. Regional technology initiatives: some insights from the English regions. European Planning Studies. 8 (3), pp. 301-318. https://doi.org/10.1080/713666413
Regulating health and safety in small firms.
Smallbone, D., Vickers, I., James, P. and Owen, R. 2005. Regulating health and safety in small firms. in: Gray, C. and Bannock, G. (ed.) Government regulation and the small firm Milton Keynes, UK Open University Business School.
The role and characteristics of SMEs.
Smallbone, D., North, D. and Vickers, I. 2003. The role and characteristics of SMEs. in: Asheim, B. (ed.) Regional innovation policy for small-medium enterprises. Cheltenham Edward Elgar.
Social enterprise and the environment: a review of the literature
Vickers, I. 2010. Social enterprise and the environment: a review of the literature. Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham.
Better regulation and enterprise: the case of environmental health risk regulation in Britain
Vickers, I. 2008. Better regulation and enterprise: the case of environmental health risk regulation in Britain. Policy Studies. 29 (2), pp. 215-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/01442870802033514
Innovation and the use of technology in manufacturing plants and SMEs: an interregional study
Vickers, I., North, D., Smallbone, D. and Roper, S. 2003. Innovation and the use of technology in manufacturing plants and SMEs: an interregional study. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 21 (1), pp. 37-52. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0218
Influences on small firm compliance-related behaviour: the case of workplace health and safety.
Owen, R., James, P., Smallbone, D. and Vickers, I. 2006. Influences on small firm compliance-related behaviour: the case of workplace health and safety. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 24 (6), pp. 827-846. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0564
Understanding small firm responses to regulation: the case of workplace health and safety
Vickers, I., Smallbone, D., James, P. and Owen, R. 2005. Understanding small firm responses to regulation: the case of workplace health and safety. Policy Studies. 26 (2), pp. 149-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/01442870500127626
Public sector support for innovating SMEs
North, D., Smallbone, D. and Vickers, I. 2001. Public sector support for innovating SMEs. Small Business Economics. 16 (4), pp. 303-317. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011164801073
The use of external sources of health and safety information and advice: the case of small firms
Vickers, I., Smallbone, D. and Owen, R. 2004. The use of external sources of health and safety information and advice: the case of small firms. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. 2 (1), pp. 91-104.
Cleaner production: organisational learning or business as usual? An example from the domestic appliance industry
Vickers, I. 2000. Cleaner production: organisational learning or business as usual? An example from the domestic appliance industry. Business Strategy and the Environment. 9 (4), pp. 255-268. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-0836(200007/08)9:4<255::AID-BSE252>3.0.CO;2-A