Talent mobility association Worldwide ERC recently released the 2017 Talent Mobility in China survey, reporting on employee assignment activity into and within mainland China.
The report, sponsored by SIRVA, focussed on current mobility trends into, out of, and within China; the evolution in developing employees and local talent; the impact of environmental concerns on assignments into China, and the status of formal mobility assistance policies for domestic moves within China.
Sample findings from the survey:
- Survey participants report that mobility into China remained relatively stable in 2016, although 29% indicated that their long-term assignments had decreased;
- More than one-third of responding companies predicted an increase in short-term assignments in 2017;
- Project/task completion, business needs and employee development continue to rank as the top reasons for short-term assignments into China;
- Companies continue to grade their talent mobility and management integration relatively poorly. This year and last, survey participants graded their companies’ integration at an average score of 2.9 on a 5-point scale;
- Companies may be choosing to leverage mobility in their talent management programmes selectively. For example, they may use mobility well in employee development, but less effectively in other aspects of talent management, such as career-path planning;
- Developing local talent topped out the list of cost-control approaches, and may be a manifestation of a larger and broader business trend in Asia of investing in its local talent development;
- More than half of respondents stated that they do not currently have formal assistance policies for domestic mobility in China, possibly due to the low frequency of such moves. Instead, companies may handle them on a case-by-case basis.
The Talent Mobility in China survey was conducted between November and December 2016, and represents findings from 116 organisations representing 31 industries.
The survey is available on a complimentary basis to premier corporate HR and government agency members of Worldwide ERC and can be purchased by other member category representatives for US$95, and non-members for US$250. Order the report at www.Worldwideerc.org/Research.