Mapping the Current Social Sustainability Practices of the European Manufacturing Industry

Paper in proceeding, 2014

A survey among European production companies was carried out to map the level of understanding and action regarding social sustainability practices. In order to determine whether sufficient measures are in place to tackle upcoming demographic challenges. The study explored topics of labour practices, human capital development, job design, work-life balance, talent management, employee turnover & satisfaction management and stakeholder and community practices. The results indicate that although many companies report having a strategy in place for social sustainability, practices in place appear to only address the fundamental hygiene factors of the workplace, rather than focusing strategically on combating demographics challenges.