Euroopa Elu- ja Töötingimuste Parandamise Fondi Euroopa Struktuurimuutuste Jälgimise Keskus (EMCC) korraldab 27.-28. juunil Itaalias Bolonjas ettevõtete koostöö-võrgustiku seminari:

Workplace innovation – fostering productivity and quality of work

‘Workplace innovation - fostering productivity and quality of work’ is the theme of the next EMCC company network seminar co-hosted by the Fondazione Instituto per il Lavoro, which will be held in Bologna, Italy, on 27-28 June 2005.

The seminar will explore the relationship between new work organisational models in companies and their impact on productivity levels and human resources developments. Some four company case examples will offer an insight into innovative corporate management practices enabling companies to improve operational and financial outcomes, while also reducing turnover and enhancing quality of work.

What is the context?
Innovation is considered to be an essential element in enhancing the competitiveness of European companies. The European Commission (EC) has repeatedly stressed the need for national governments and social partners to work towards the development of a business environment allowing innovative companies to flourish, thus contributing to growth and the creation of high quality jobs.
Traditionally the focus for innovation within companies has mostly been on product development and cost saving. However, the emergence of a knowledge economy will require employers and employees to develop new organisational work concepts which are conducive to continuous learning and innovation across the entire organisation. Against this backdrop, companies must realise that the liberation of human creativity as well as investment in human resources and involvement of employees in strategic business developments are key elements in guaranteeing sustainable business success.
This particular dimension of workplace innovation can take on many forms such as employee empowerment schemes, knowledge management policies, teamwork and self-managing teams, continuous skills development and learning plans, flexible work organisation arrangements and transparent communication practices.

Seminar focus
Some four company case examples will provide participants with a closer insight into how European firms are striving to become true knowledge-oriented organisations and the impact these approaches have on corporate performance and enhanced job quality.

In this context, the seminar will set out to:
identify corporate strategies that allow for adaptive and agile organisations to develop, thus enabling them to better anticipate and manage change;
analyse management strategies and implementation processes with regard to innovative workplace practices that can serve as a model for other organisations;
familiarise participants with the emergence of new organisational work concepts;
study the role of team-working and knowledge sharing as ways of developing employee autonomy in decision making processes;
explore the link between innovative workplace practices and productivity levels of companies;
consider the appropriateness of public policy responses and national programmes in promoting innovative workplace practices.

Preliminary Programme

Day 1: Monday 27 June

09:00 - Arrival and registration of participants
        
09:30 - Welcome and Introduction
· Welcome message by Francesco Garibaldo – Director (Instituto per il Lavoro)
· Welcome by Barbara Gerstenberger – (EMCC Coordinator)
· Presentation on the EMCC and Seminar objectives – Gregorio De Castro (EMCC)

10:30 - Setting the scene: Expert

11:00 – Brief discussion

11:30 – Coffee break

11:45 – Case study one

12:15 – Questions to presenters

13:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Case study two

15:00 – Questions to presenters

15:30 – Case study three

16:00 – Questions to presenters

16:30 – Coffee Break

17:00 – General debate and discussion

18:00 – Conclusions day one

20:30 - Dinner

Day 2: Tuesday 28 June

09:00 – Case study four

09:30 - Questions to presenters

10:00 – Working groups

11:00 – Coffee

11:30 – Presentation of conclusions from working groups

12:30 - Final conclusions and evaluation

13:30 – Lunch 

Please note that the final programme will be sent to participants after the registration deadline together with supporting documentation for the seminar. The EMCC also invites you to visit its Portal for further information regarding this event www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int.

Arvukate osalemissoovide tõttu on registreerumine lõpetatud! Lisainfo: Kristi-Jette Remi, kristi@ettk.ee