A ground-breaking new report developed with contributions from Caribbean employers and business membership organizations (EBMOs) and prepared under the technical coordination of the ILO Bureau for Employers´ Activities (ACT/EMP) was released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean to shed light on how EBMOs can increase their adoption of data-driven technology to address issues, boost efficiencies and gain competitive advantage.
Researchers conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with staff and board members of the Antigua and Barbuda Employers’ Federation, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, Barbados Employers’ Confederation, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Grenada Employers’ Federation, Jamaica Employers’ Federation, Saint Lucia Employers’ Federation and the Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago. They also administered a regional survey that reached 70 respondents from 18 EBMOs in 17 countries.
The report finds that EMBOs across the Caribbean are at various stages of their digitalization journey. It contends that full digitalization and data optimization requires significant transformations to organizational processes and practices. The research also acknowledges that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions accelerated digital shifts for EBMOs and forged a new appreciation of how data management can support members and operations. Consequently, most EMBO leaders who participated in the study consider digitalization a priority and believe staff members support this organizational change.
“The results of this research demonstrate that for EMBOs, becoming digital organizations goes beyond adopting modern technologies. These organizations must secure the commitment of all staff, members, and stakeholders to fully integrate innovation with data collection for systematic and sustainable improvements to productivity, service delivery, and decision-making,” Ms. Viky Giulietti, Senior Employers' Activities Specialist at ILO Caribbean.
Following its comprehensive regional analysis, the report concludes with a set of recommendations to guide EBMOs on how to take advantage of digital tools to derive benefits such as higher membership, revenue, and influence. The recommendations are divided into the primary areas of research inquiry as follows; processes; practices; capabilities; as well as culture and leadership.
“Digitalization is the key that unlocks the transformation of Caribbean EBMOs into data-driven powerhouses, paving the way for innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth,” said Mrs. Kim Aikman, Chief Executive Officer of the Belize Chamber of Commerce, and Industry.
