In Indonesia, the past two decades have been a time of great progress but also massive transformations and abrupt setbacks. In this context, this book reviews the main characteristics of - and trends in - demand for skills in Indonesia. It seeks to document the existence of a possible skills mismatch between employer demands and the available supply, the contribution of the education and training sector to this mismatch, and possible measures to improve the education and training system's responsiveness to what the labor market and the economy need. In today's job market in Indonesia, there appears to be a premium on theoretical and practical knowledge of the job. While skills do not appear to be yet among the most important constraints for the economy, the situation is different for larger more export-oriented manufacturing firms. Subjective assessments of difficulties of matching needs with available skills provide evidence that skills are becoming an issue overall in Indonesia. The widest gaps across professional profiles are for English and computer skills followed by thinking and behavioral skills. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the job are also considered to be weak. There are important gaps in creativity, computing and some technical skills for young workers. English remains the largest gap. Five general skill related priorities can be highlighted for Indonesia. First, the country needs to improve skill measurement to get a fuller understanding of skill needs and gaps. Second, it is urgent for Indonesia to address the still unsatisfactory quality and relevance of its formal education, including higher education. Third, the country needs to set-up multiple pathways for skill development. Fourth, the country needs to develop an integrated approach to tackle skill development for youth. Fifth, Indonesia should also tackle labor market constraints which affect the skill matching process.

Emerging markets are becoming important engines of global growth. These markets, such as the transition economies in Europe and Central Asia, are viewed with increasing interest by foreign investors as private sector participation grows, as regulatory reforms take effect, and as individual firms focus on elevating their business practices to align with international standards. In fact, foreign direct investment inflows to transition economies increased by 28 percent to reach $108 billion in 2013, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Sound corporate governance is a critical element in helping these emerging markets meets their full economic potential. Good corporate governance, defined as the structures and processes by which companies and banks are directed and controlled, helps firms operate more efficiently, improves access to capital, mitigates risk, and safeguards against mismanagement. Good governance also facilitates appropriate consideration of other critical issues for enterprises, including environmental and social responsibility. It is the foundation for long-term business growth and sustainability, adding value for investors and contributing lasting dividends for economies. Companies and banks, particularly those in emerging markets that are focused on improving their corporate governance can look to a growing body of evidence that such efforts matter, yielding bottom line benefits, reputational enhancements, and competitive differentiation. In one study of note, the Emerging Market Investor Survey, 100 percent of the investors interviewed said they will pay a higher premium for good governance in an emerging market firm than what they would pay for a similar firm in a developed market. As companies and banks in Europe and Central Asia find their place on the world's economic stage, efforts to enhance governance practices are helping them reduce their business risks, improve performance, and set the course for long-term success and profitability.

Indonesia's gross domestic product growth rate declined significantly after the Asian financial crisis (AFC) of 1997–1998. The country's potential and balance-of-payments growth rates are only about 5.5% and 3%, respectively. One important reason is that the country's industrialization pace declined after the AFC. Today, Indonesia is still exporting many unprocessed natural resources and simple manufactures (not complex products) with a low income elasticity of demand. This report analyzes how Indonesia's manufacturing sector could diversify and upgrade during 2020–2024 and beyond. This is essential if Indonesia is to attain upper middle-income status as soon as possible. Policy makers and the private sector need to collaborate to identify the coordination failures that hamper the discovery of those products that Indonesia could successfully produce and export. These must be complex products with a high income elasticity of demand. The report proposes a number of policies to expedite this process.

This book brings order to the chaotic and rapidly evolving world of influencer marketing by providing readers with much needed context, frameworks, and best practices. Written for busy marketing professionals working in both domestic and international markets, it addresses these topics in a highly actionable and engaging manner. Digital Influence covers everything from how to identify the right influencers and determine “level of influence” to collaborating with influencers and measuring ROI. It turns out, it’s not all about paying online celebrities outrageous sums to post sponsored content. Backaler also provides much-needed context for why influencer marketing is flourishing today, and perspective into what a more technologically-enabled, globally-connected future will look like. Ultimately, people want to learn from trusted peers, not faceless companies. Better than any corporate marketing function, influencers understand how to make best use of social media platforms and tailor content for their respective cultures to engage consumers in their home markets. Business leaders should arm themselves with Backaler's book to ensure they're not left behind.

A rich, contextual analysis of the politics that inhibit the adoption of liberalizing reforms in Indonesia's infrastructure sector.