Socially sustainable workplaces: Presentation by Prof John Buchanon - Davos 2024

Socially sustainable workplaces – the issues and opportunities for long-term owners of infrastructure assets.

Research discussion paper prepared by Professor John Buchanan, Professor Susan Thorp, Dr Troy Henderson, Associate Professor Jo Occhipinti, Professor Nick Glozier and Shannon O’Keeffe

The presentation summarises the initial findings of research being undertaken for Industry Funds Management (Investors) IFM by researchers from the University of Sydney’s Mental Wealth Initiative. IFM invests in large scale infrastructure assets like ports, airports and electricity distribution systems. As an owner of such infrastructure it takes a longer term position in such investments. It is especially interested in the generation of new knowledge about the social as well as financial sustainability of this asset class. There is a common interest between the IFM and Mental Wealth researchers informed by the assumption that economic success requires nurturing our mental not just our material wealth.
The presentation summarises the first phase of year scoping study. It is structured around consideration of four questions.
1. What is a socially sustainable infrastructure workplace?
2. Who is responsible for managing the risks of socially unsustainable arrangements?
3. How do we measure these?
4. How do we ensure the metrics drive appropriate change?