Value-Driven Employment Framework (VDEF): A Conceptual Framework for Unlocking, Measuring and Increasing the Value of Every Employee

The Value-Driven Employment Framework (VDEF) is an original conceptual framework for unlocking, measuring and increasing the value created through employee capability. The framework proposes that organisations should systematically identify employee capabilities, align them with organisational priorities, deploy them appropriately, measure contribution, develop capability, optimise work and recognise value creation. VDEF integrates established perspectives from human capital theory, goal-setting, performance management, employee engagement and skills utilisation while introducing original organising constructs including the VDEF Value Creation Cycle, Employee Value Model (EV = C × A × E), seven pillars of value creation, Employee Value Score and Untapped Employee Value. This publication presents VDEF as a conceptual framework and research programme. Its constructs, measurement model and proposed relationships require empirical validation through future research. The framework is intended to support organisational practice, workforce development and scholarly investigation into how employee capability can be better aligned with meaningful organisational outcomes.