Senior managers across the country expect huge increases in their organisations' productivity in the next five years – but accuse their peers of undermining Britain's progress and leaving it languishing behind its competitors. That's the finding of new research to mark the start of this year's Investors in People week (which runs from November 14–20).

Stakeholder Response: Investors in People

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of Investors in People, said: "Britain is employing more people than ever before, but the country still lags behind competitors in terms of employee productivity. Although three quarters of senior managers make the link between effective employee development and increased productivity, they are failing to convert this understanding into action. It seems that senior managers still see productivity as someone else's problem, which is disturbing and potentially damaging, not just to their organisations but to Britain as a whole.

"Failing to apply a critical eye to their own organisations means senior managers risk undermining their ability to deliver the growth they are predicting. Britain's boardrooms must take action now to prioritise employee development in the face of other demands if they are to achieve their business goals and help the country rise to its productivity challenge."

Stakeholder Response: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Dr John Philpott, chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said: "The Future Foundation research echoes the findings of CIPD's 'Voices from the boardroom' study which highlights a fundamental implementation gap underlying the