Mapping Method Report—Exploring the Links between Energy, Wellbeing and Productivity

Report by Joanna Boehnert, Simon Mair and Cecilia Landa-Avila | December 2019
Cover Image (CC.0) geralt / Pixabay (modified)

About this report

This report describes the integration of mapping methods and desk-based research used in the ESRC funded Powering Productivity research project. The project applied a mixed method combination of thematic literature review with expert elicitation within a participatory systems and knowledge mapping process to survey and visualise the evidence base and the links between 1) energy and productivity and 2) wellbeing and productivity.

The report describes the value of applying systems-oriented design mapping methods to synthesise and visualise knowledge from different domains to communicate complex ideas. After theorising systems mapping methods, the report explains how applied participatory mapping methods were used to enable the co-production of systems maps, to inform the development of two static and interactive knowledge maps, and to inform two literature reviews. This is followed by reflections on these processes. The conclusion provides a summary of methodological achievements, challenges and recommendations.

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  • PDF Download full report (pdf, 10.6MB) | Boehnert J, Mair S and C Landa-Avila 2019. Mapping Method Report—Exploring the Links between Energy, Wellbeing and Productivity. CUSP.

Further Reading

Productivity growth means getting more output from fewer inputs. It is a key goal of conventional economic policy. But ‘productivity growth’ is a vague concept and there are large gaps in our understanding of it. This ESRC funded project explores links between the different types of productivity and two major gaps: the relationship between energy and productivity, and wellbeing and productivity. The aim is to map the existing evidence base and guide future ESRC productivity research.
Productivity growth means getting more output from fewer inputs. It is a key goal of conventional economic policy. But ‘productivity growth’ is a vague concept and there are large gaps in our understanding of it. This ESRC funded project explores links between the different types of productivity and two major gaps: the relationship between energy and productivity, and wellbeing and productivity. The aim is to map the existing evidence base and guide future ESRC productivity research.
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This report reviews the relationships between the different aspects of wellbeing, productivity, and productivity growth. It is the culmination of a desk-based evidence review, survey, and a mapping workshop held with experts from backgrounds including psychology, sociology, economics, and design. The focus is on wellbeing and labour productivity.
This report reviews the relationships between the different aspects of wellbeing, productivity, and productivity growth. It is the culmination of a desk-based evidence review, survey, and a mapping workshop held with experts from backgrounds including psychology, sociology, economics, and design. The focus is on wellbeing and labour productivity.
Economy
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The UK is experiencing a period of low productivity growth. Although exacerbated by the financial crisis of 2008, the underlying trend is longer and more persistent. This report aims to expand conventional understandings of productivity by exploring the literatures which relate productivity to the availability, production and use of energy in the economy.
Economy
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