Organizational and Fiscal Innovation: Keys to Navigating the 40-Hour Workweek

Given the gradual reduction of the workweek in Mexico, the College of Economists of Aguascalientes proposed that business adaptation should not focus solely on adopting technology, but rather on strategies for organizational innovation, improvements in internal management, and fiscal incentives that enable increased productivity and maintain the financial viability of businesses. During a press conference, the president of the organization, María del Carmen Corchado, noted that the reform presents an opportunity to rethink how companies operate, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which face greater limitations in absorbing increases in labor costs.

Innovation Beyond Technology

From the organization’s perspective, innovation should not be exclusively associated with technology investment, as there are other areas where companies can improve their performance at lower costs.

Based on OECD criteria, four areas of innovation are identified: productive processes, product development, internal organization, and forms of commerce. For MSMEs in Aguascalientes, the greatest opportunities are considered to lie in internal reorganization and the optimization of business models.

Proposed actions include the development of procedure manuals, the improvement of administrative processes, and the creation of shared distribution schemes that can reduce logistical costs and increase operational efficiency.

Fiscal Incentives as an Adaptation Tool

The College of Economists also raised the need to implement direct fiscal incentives for companies that comply with labor regulations, with the objective of cushioning the financial impact of the reduced workweek.

The proposal includes the creation of tax bonds linked to legal compliance, accompanied by oversight mechanisms that ensure the benefits translate into real improvements for both workers and businesses.

From this perspective, an incentive scheme would allow businesses to maintain profitability and facilitate the transition to the new labor model without affecting employment stability.

Productivity as a Condition for Reform

The organization emphasized that the reduction of the workweek will only be sustainable if accompanied by an increase in productivity, which implies strengthening training and professionalization within companies.

For MSMEs, the need to promote training programs that improve administration, work organization, and operational efficiency was identified, as many companies lack the tools to optimize their processes.

Financial Education and Entrepreneurship

As part of a long-term vision, the College of Economists proposed strengthening financial education and entrepreneurship training from early stages, with the goal of developing generations with greater capacities to create and manage businesses.

Furthermore, the role of universities as an engine of economic development was highlighted, by fostering innovation, the creation of productive projects, and linkage with the business sector.

Towards a Comprehensive Transition Approach

From the organization’s viewpoint, the implementation of the 40-hour workweek represents not only a change in labor conditions but also an opportunity to modernize the business structure through strategies of organization, innovation, and fiscal policy.

The main challenge, they pointed out, will be to design an environment that allows for improved labor conditions without hindering business growth, especially in a context where MSMEs represent the foundation of the local economic fabric.

This entry first appeared in Líder Empresarial.