Exploring the development trajectory of decent work literature: An empowerment perspective

Abstract

The eighth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) underscores the need to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth, while advancing full employment and ensuring decent work for all. This increased emphasis on decent work has garnered heightened attention from international organizations and businesses. Significantly, as laws pertaining to workers' rights and labor matters have evolved, the concept of decent work has continuously expanded. This study acknowledges that this dynamic nature of decent work poses challenges for businesses in devising appropriate policies. To gain better understanding of the shifting labor paradigm, this research employs a systematic review approach, specifically main path analysis (MPA), to trace the trajectory of decent work literature over the past two decades. Among the 737 articles retrieved on decent work, 23 critical papers are identified for in-depth analysis. The findings reveal that the research focus has evolved across three distinct stages: economic-oriented, identity-oriented, and culturally-oriented decent work. In response to this insight, this study proposes a comprehensive empowerment model to support organizations and decision-makers in promoting decent work and improving working conditions, ultimately contributing to inclusive growth. Furthermore, this study addresses the challenges associated with decent work, aiming to facilitate progress towards fair employment and sustainable workplaces.