Restricted accessOtherFirst published online 2010-8
Why do firms employ foreigners on their top management team? An exploration of strategic fit,human capital and attraction-selection-attrition perspectives
The number of foreigners appointed to top management teams has increased significantly over the past decade. However, the question of why some firms elect to employ foreign nationals in top executive positions remains unclear. This study tests competing explanations based on strategic fit, human capital and attraction—selection—attrition perspectives. Results from empirical tests utilizing a multi-level methodology on a sample of Swiss publicly listed companies suggest that degree of international diversification is positively associated with the likelihood of having a foreign executive, whereas human capital characteristics do not explain the propensity to employ a foreigner on the top management team. In addition, nationality diversity at the board level, as well as the international experience of the top management team, predict the probability of having a foreign top executive.
Pourquoi les entreprises emploient-elles des étrangers au sein de leur équipe de direction ? Une étude des différentes perspectives du fit stratégique, du capital humain et du modèle ASA (attraction-sélection-attrition)
Sabina Nielsen et Bo Bernhard Nielsen
Le nombre d’étrangers nommés à des équipes de direction a augmenté de façon significative au cours de la dernière décennie. Pourquoi certaines entreprises décident-elles d’employer des étrangers à des postes de cadres supérieurs demeure cependant peu clair. Cette étude teste des explications contradictoires sur la base des perspectives du fit stratégique, du capital humain et du modèle ASA. Les résultats d’essais empiriques utilisant une méthodologie multi-niveaux sur un échantillon de compagnies suisses cotées en bourse suggèrent que le degré de diversification internationale est positivement associé à la probabilité d’avoir un cadre étranger, alors que les caractéristiques humaines n’expliquent pas la propension d’employer un étranger au sein de l’équipe de direction. En outre, la diversité nationale à l’échelon du conseil d’administration ainsi que l’expérience internationale des membres de l’équipe de direction, rendent plus probable le fait d’avoir des cadres supérieurs étrangers au sein de l’entreprise. n du Ccié positi
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