Question

Discuss the challenges involved in staffing operations in emerging markets.

Answer 1

One of the main challenges involved in the staffing operations in emerging markets is the insufficient supply of the management professionals to manage the operations in these markets. The companies are ready to invest heavily in these markets, but the HRM needs to ensure enough supply of middle and senior management professionals to manage the operations abroad. Another challenge is the challenge in hiring the local talent. The HR manager should be able to hire the local talents at low cost to make the overseas operations profitable. Hiring suitable candidates from home country for overseas assignment as expat is also a challenge involved in staffing operations. Adaptability screening is a factor that determines the success of expatriation which measures the assignees’ probability of success in foreign countries and the HRM should be able to provide required training for the employees and their families to adapt to the host country culture and environment. Another challenge includes the challenge in selecting the staffing strategy suitable for the emerging market. Companies may use ethnocentric, polycentric or geocentric strategy for staffing according to the company strategy. But the staffing strategy should be suitable for the market to successfully conduct the operations overseas by selecting the qualified employees in a cost effective way.