Expanding into Asia: The Human Resource Challenge

Abstract

This paper presents the main findings of a piece of research conducted for Compass Group plc. The main aim of the research was to identify sources of Asian graduates to manage Compass' expanding food service outlets in Asia and to support their broadly geocentric international strategy. The paper demonstrates that business-oriented English-speaking graduates are available in Asia, and also that Asian students (both business students and hospitality students) educated in the UK are very interested in working for Compass in Asia, provided that the benefits package is attractive enough and that career development routes are offered. The arguments for pursuing either a geocentric or a polycentric human resourcing strategy are discussed.