Efficiency Boosts Productivity

Sept. 18, 2007

Increased employee output increases productivity

Most employees and their bosses think productivity either increased or remained the same in 2006, primarily due to greater employee output and efficiency, according to Randstad USA's annual World of Work survey.

Nearly the same percentage of employees (42%) and employers (41%) say productivity has remained the same since 2005. Less than one-half (43%) of employers say productivity has increased since the previous year compared with 33% of employees who say productivity has risen. Only 14% of employees say productivity was down in 2006 versus 12% of employers who also report declines.

The results are based on interviews in early 2007 of 1,251 employers and 1,888 employees in the United States.

Reasons Why Productivity is Improving
Reason cited	Employers (% of responses)	Employees (% of responses)
Increased employee productivity	28%	22%
Technology	15%	14%
More skilled people	12%	11%
Pay for performance	8%	4%
Logistics improvement	4%	2%
Investment	3%	1%
Supply chain efficiencies	3%	2%
Six Sigma	2%	1%
Outsourcing	2%	2%
Offshoring	1%	2%
On-site contract workforce management	1%	1%
Source: Randstad USA

See Also

About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Former Managing Editor

Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.