3rd August, 2021
Recent data indicates productivity in both Australia and New Zealand is in a slump, while innovation and strategic technology adoption is the quickest way out.
Productivity in both Australia and New Zealand is low, and it looks like the trajectory isn’t likely to improve in the next five years.
This economic measure of income growth seeks to quantify how efficiently resources, such as capital and labour are used to produce output – such as the goods and services we consume every day.
While productivity appears to be impacted by the pandemic in Australia, there are also systemic issues in New Zealand, if recent modelling is anything to go by. Either way, at the end of the day, it’s causing a big headache for organisations in both regions.
Australia has seen falling productivity recently, exacerbated by a slow-moving response to new technology adoption. Meanwhile, a new report contrasts Australia’s comparatively high living standards against labour productivity that can only be categorised as mid-range.
Productivity fell for the first time in nearly a decade, with many industries seeing labour productivity increase as hours fell more than their output.
This is likely reflecting that the least experienced workers are usually the first to go.
The latest Productivity Insights research, released in June 2021, reveals most industries experienced a contraction in both their production and employment. It also found that more employees will likely work from home more frequently post‑COVID, with unclear ramifications for productivity.
Productivity Commission chair Michael Brennan says preventing business closures during the pandemic cushioned the downturn and helped smooth recovery.
“As the recovery proceeds, there will inevitably be some reallocation of labour and capital across firms and industries, which is part and parcel of a dynamic recovery.”
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, innovation and technological change is highlighted as critical to productivity growth.
New Zealand is rated one of the most productive economies at the end of the 19th Century, but has slipped to a below average position. Not adopting technology has been a critical element in this slip.
In fact, a new report shows people are working longer hours and producing less compared with other OECD countries. It reveals that there is a large gap to be closed if New Zealand’s productivity growth is to reach the rates needed to push material living standards back towards the top end of the OECD.
The Productivity Commission’s Productivity by the numbers report outlines the full extent of the issues. The problem with this is that poor productivity results in higher prices for everyday items. The other issue is that lower productivity results in stagnated wage growth, resulting in people working longer hours and having less to show for it.
“New Zealanders are working harder rather than smarter. This makes improving living standards even more difficult,” Productivity Commission chairman Ganesh Nana said.
“Innovation is the key to unlocking New Zealand’s productivity. There are only so many hours in the day that people can work, so creating new technology and adopting new and better ways of working is critical to achieving effective change,” Nana said.
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The good news is that organisational responses to COVID-19 have accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by several years, and forced businesses to create new strategies and practices to survive – and also thrive.
On-demand, decentralised business platforms and integrated business management software can help businesses overcome these challenges.
A report by McKinsey points out that prioritising innovation today is the key to unlocking post-crisis growth.
It shows that while most executives agree that innovation will be critical, 90 percent believe that the COVID-19 crisis will fundamentally change the way they do business over the next five years.
But, more than three-quarters also agreed that the crisis will create significant new opportunities for growth. However, this does vary significantly by industry.
McKinsey makes a strong case for innovation, stating in the report that re-evaluating the innovation initiative portfolio and ensuring resources are allocated appropriately will be crucial for the recovery.
The key is that small, incremental change can make a huge difference.
Utilising technology and improving systems to free up talent within the business to focus on more important jobs, for example.
This approach can also help foster an innovative workplace culture in a hybrid world, and will in turn enable employees to bolster their own productivity.
Want to learn how your business can achieve greater productivity. MYOB Advanced offers an integrated business management system that helps you automate key processes and become more efficient.
Australian business decision makers can find out more here, while NZ-based professionals can click here.