GDP growth alone cannot explain whether an economy is inclusive, resilient or enabling people to thrive. High-level indicators hide the behavioural drivers—trust, comprehension, incentives, friction, norms—that determine whether economic systems succeed at the point of use.
EthosLab brings a behavioural and human-centred perspective to economic policy and service design. We examine how citizens, workers and firms interact with systems in practice, not just in theory. By integrating behavioural science with economic analysis, we help governments and organisations build economic institutions that perform better, reach further and produce outcomes that matter beyond headline statistics.
Productivity & Economic Behaviour
Productivity is not only a matter of capital and technology—it is shaped by routines, workplace norms, cognitive load and motivation. EthosLab studies the behavioural drivers of performance across firms and public organisations, uncovering how friction, uncertainty and decision fatigue constrain output.
We help organisations redesign processes, incentives and work environments to unlock more effective ways of working. From workflow audits and nudging protocols to behavioural leadership training, our work ensures that productivity strategies reflect how people actually focus, collaborate and create value.
Gambling Behaviour & Harm Reduction
Gambling environments are built around high-friction decision cycles, reward anticipation and cognitive biases that drive risky behaviour. EthosLab analyses how platform design, marketing, loss-recovery framing and social norms influence gambling patterns and harm exposure.
We support regulators, operators and public bodies in developing consumer-protection policies, risk-prediction tools and safer-play architectures. Our behavioural audits identify where design choices amplify risk, and we co-create interventions that reduce harm while preserving autonomy and informed choice.
Employment & Workforce Transitions
Employment decisions are shaped not only by skills and opportunities but also by identity, expectations, family pressures and perceived fairness. EthosLab examines the behavioural dynamics behind job search, hiring, retention and career progression—revealing where systems unintentionally discourage participation or advancement.
We design interventions that support smoother labour-market transitions, from motivational job-search platforms and behavioural recruitment processes to retention strategies and inclusive workplace cultures. Our work ensures employment systems function effectively for both workers and employers.
Social Benefits & Welfare Access
Social benefits succeed only when people can understand, trust and navigate them. Yet many systems are complex, opaque or unintentionally discouraging leaving eligible individuals without support.
EthosLab studies how real users interact with benefit rules, applications, eligibility assessments and communication channels. We help governments and NGOs redesign touchpoints for clarity, dignity and uptake—developing behavioural risk models, decision protocols and user-tested communication that ensure benefits reach the people they are meant to serve.
Tax Behaviour & Compliance
Tax systems rely on voluntary compliance, which is shaped by perceptions of fairness, complexity, reciprocity and institutional trust. EthosLab explores how people interpret tax rules, interact with digital filing systems and respond to enforcement messages or incentives.
We work with tax authorities to design communication strategies, simplified processes and behavioural compliance tools that improve accuracy and reduce avoidance. Our audits identify where uncertainty, confusion or cognitive overload undermine compliance, enabling the development of systems that feel fair, transparent and easy to follow.