A good job is defined by two areas.

First, the fundamentals of a good wage, security and predictability. These are basic requirements.

Second, for a job to rise above foundational needs it must have elements of purpose, belonging, mastery and autonomy.

For many people, 21st century jobs are characterised by stagnating pay, uncertainty, and little connection to a wider purpose or meaning. Industrial decline, globalisation and automation have created new winners and losers. Solving for these challenges is - I think - one of the core policy tasks of our time.

Some examples of interesting thinking in this space:

• Good Jobs Institute: Zeynep Ton's work and advocacy is a good starting point for understanding what makes for a good job
• Research of Nicholas Bloom: A lot of good research on management and growth. This paper providing a toolkit of policies to promote innovation is relevant for communities and cities trying to increase growth and employment.
• Work Rules by Laszlo Bock: Yes, he's my boss. But also, clear-sighted explanations about what makes for truly meaningful work and - still non-existent in most companies - how to test if your people strategy is actually working.
• Pop academia is a useful launchpad into how to create good jobs. Some good reads are Dan Pink and Dan Coyle