2004 #4

Examine four ways in which Caribbean countries can

achieve high levels of productivity
Productivity relates to efficiency and cost effectiveness in
the production of good and services. It is hinged on linear
logical thinking in developing the cheapest and least
timely route from raw materials to finished products.
Essentially productivity is a ratio to measure how well an
organization or individual or industry or country converts
input resources (labor, materials and etc) into goods and
services. This is usually expressed in ratios of inputs to
outputs.
To raise productivity domestic savings and foreign finance
must be mobilized to generate new investments in
physical, capital goods and build up the stock in human
capital through investment in education and training.
Institutional changes are also necessary to maximize the
potential of this new physical and human investment.
These changes might include diverse activities, such as
reform of land tenor, corporate tax, credit and banking
structures, the creation or strengthening of an
independent, honest and efficient administrative service
and the restructing of educational training programs to
make them more appropriate to the needs of the society.
The level of productivity is attributed to the quality of
human resources, the organization of the production
system and the institutional arrangements taken to
accelerate their productive growth. Evident of rise in
production can be measured by the amount of industrial
action (strikes, sick outs) taken by workers, absenteeism
through sick leaves and etc. Most if not all countries try to
increase their employment level also increase their
exports hence to increase foreign exchange earnings,
increased pace of industrialization to ensure a favorable
balance of payments are all signs of productivity.
Increase in modern knowledge refers to the influence of
modernizing institutions such as schools and factories,
which are taught to promote urban industrialized societies.

Such knowledge emphasizes efficiency, cost effectiveness,

logical, planning, rationality, technological know how and
organizational skills. The greater level there is in modern
knowledge the more likely development is taking place
and therefore the greater the quality of life. Improved
knowledge leads to increase productivity.
Productivity refers to more than an economic
understanding of growth. It is based first of all on equity.
The understanding is if people have equal access to
educational ad job opportunities then it is quite likely that
their productivity will be high. This is based on the notion
that if one takes advantage of opportunities there is and
become qualified so that one can access jobs based on
qualifications then there is a certain level of commitment
to that job. This is to address the problem of people in a
host of dead end jobs where there are bored and see no
opportunities for advancement where the job involves
routine tasks that do not challenge them.
POINTS:
Productivity can be expanded to the lowering of
production costs, improved training and the
application of science and technology.
Productivity can be addressed as not constitution a
solely economic issue. Productivity can also be
addressed as a human development issue for
example, the broadening of peoples choices and
increasing equity
Good economic management of resources especially
a drive to sustainable development practices can also
increase productivity
Stable and just social relations social justice, good
worker and manager relations, stable relations
between trade unions and government goes a long
way towards increasing levels of productivity
The education system can be targeted as perhaps
providing curricular that may be to specialize where
as productivity in the 21st century may rely on good
inter personal skills and a good foundation in literacy,
numeracy, and critical skills and thinking.