In today's economic contexts, governments are required to take center stage, helping workers to complete in the global market whislt also supporting employers so that they may retain jobs, increase productivity and offer better-quality employment at the local level. For expectations to be fulfilled, however, significant changes are needed in the way policy is managed. Far greater flexibility must be available at the local level to coordinate and adapt both policies and programs to local strategic priorities. This book provides a new indicator for benchmarking labor-market policy, reviewing the flexibility evidence in its management throughout OECD countries. The research offers new evidence of the link between flexibility and employment outcomes. Concrete examples of how localities can harness greater flexibilities to generate better economic and social outcomes are provided.--Publisher's description.