Talent management (TM) and talent development (TD) are of the most
important areas of focus for organizational leaders and scholars around
the world (Machado, 2015). Geographic boundaries have become
increasingly permeable, with talent considerations being a key factor in
the decision of where organizations locate their operations (Farndale,
Scullion, & Sparrow, 2010). These changes in global market conditions
have lead organizations to develop robust global talent management and
development strategies that help organizations attract and retain the
best talent (Nilsson & Ellström, 2012). Still, most international TM and
TD initiatives can be described as ad hoc, non-strategic, or based on
exported models from the West (Machado, 2015)
From an operational perspective, although there is a surge in research
on TM and TD practices across different regions, most of what we know
about these topics is based on government and practitioners' reports.
Nowadays, organizations are operating in diverse environments catalyzed
by globalization, economic openness, and governmental smart visions and
practical policies. Governments and organizations alike, are aspiring to
become talent magnet destination, attracting expatriates from all over
the world. The question we try to answer in this book is whether
entities are able to continue their growth through current TM and TD
practices or whether a more strategic approach is needed in order to
address the current TM and TD challenges and to meet the needs of
individuals, organizations, and governments.
In particular, in this book we provide different perspectives of current
status of TM and TD practices in select countries across the world. Our
aim is to provide scholars and practitioners interested in the topic
with a better understanding of TM and TD practices, and an overview of
factors that affect these practices. Once we understand the different
challenges, practitioners and leaders can use TM and TD as a source of
power, or a strategy, that can lead people and organizations into
success.
