Human Cost Of Globalisation Accelerates Crisis In Executive Supply

The crisis in the supply of globally mobile executives is accelerating as senior managers find the human costs too high, according to new research from the executive search business of TMP Worldwide, one of the top five executive search firms in the world.

Published today (Thursday 2 December 1999) the research reveals that talented managers are less likely to make the lifestyle sacrifices required by relocation abroad at the very time that demand for the global executive is soaring.

The report, How Far Will You Go: Trends in the Supply and Demand of Global Executives draws on a MORI poll of top directors of Britain's largest 500 companies commissioned by the search business of TMP Worldwide. The majority of respondents, 87 per cent, believe it is going to become more important than ever that executives are globally mobile over the next five years. In their own lives, 78 per cent feel that international experience has been a major factor in helping them fulfil their career objectives.

However more than half (56 per cent) are themselves much less likely to contemplate the personal sacrifices involved in meeting this demand than five years ago. Moreover, an equal proportion (56 per cent) believes that the dual career family is seriously affecting the global mobility of their executives.

Comments on lifestyle concerns

Family and lifestyle concerns were top of the reasons these high achievers gave for their increasing reluctance to move. Many who had been happy to be internationally mobile when they were younger and hungrier felt regret about past choices. "I made sacrifices in the past and now I have got a young family again and I would not want to make the same mistakes. Family is more important: I feel guilty about the last time", said one. A typical reason given for choosing not to move was "because my wife's got her own business and the children are settled in school."

Andrew Simpson, UK managing partner for the executive search business of TMP Worldwide, comments:

"For ambitious executives who thrive on overseas assignments, the emerging crisis is undoubtedly good news as demand for their talents continues to grow." Yet over the last five years there has been an accelerating trend of senior executives deciding that the human cost of global mobility is too high a price to pay, and turning down international opportunities.

Responses from organisations, such as the creation of virtual managers who can direct staff remotely and 'commuter assignments' so people can work abroad during the week and return at weekends, can help.

However as companies continue to restructure on global lines, these may only offer a partial solution. More priority needs to be given to building practical and emotional support into international assignments as well as clear career advantages.

The executive search business of TMP Worldwide is one of the top five search firms in the world, with 41 offices in 22 countries.

TMP Worldwide's executive search business combines the established expertise of search firms LAI, TASA Worldwide, The Consulting Group, and The Highland Search Group into one integrated search consultancy TMP Worldwide, the parent group, is the world's leading provider of global recruiting solutions, resourcing staff at every level from graduate intern to CEO.

Through its partnership with sister division Monster.com, the acknowledged online recruitment leader worldwide, TMP Worldwide's search business is at the forefront of the internet-led transformation of the search industry

Technical details

• The research findings are based on results from the annual Attitudes of Britain's Captains' of Industry Survey conducted by MORI. (Interviews were conducted face-to-face between 15 September and 9 November 1999).
• The sample covers 102 main board directors from Britains largest 500 companies were interviewed.
• Over two-thirds of respondents are Chairmen, Chief Executives or Managing Directors.