Talent Management and Development: Perspectives From Emerging Market Economies

Abstract

The Problem

This issue of Advances addresses an important and so far largely unexplored area of practice and research: Talent management and development (TMD) in emerging market economies. Given the growing importance of the emerging markets, understanding how current and future talents in these countries are educated and trained is a matter of high priority for academics, business executives, and policy makers worldwide. However, systematic studies of TMD in emerging markets and especially English-language publications on this topic are scarce. We hope that this work closes an important gap in the academic literature by bridging TMD studies and research on emerging markets, and by providing analysis of TMD practices in a number of key emerging economies.

The Solution

TMD is one of the important areas of focus for human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners. Most research on TMD is conducted in the West, while the current state and indigenous practices of TMD in the majority of countries of the world are not explored. Articles in this special issue provided an overview of TMD in some of the emerging market economies: Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, and BRICS sector (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and cover a range of TMD practices and topics. While some authors focused more on TMD in the business sector (e.g., Brazil, Russia, and India), others discussed such topics as TMD in higher education (e.g., Vietnam), the difference between private and public institutions in TMD for managers and executives (e.g., Korea, UAE), and current practices of TMD in the public and private sectors (China). Chapters from China, South Korea, Vietnam, Russia, India, UAE, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Brazil are included in this special issue.

The Stakeholders

This issue is expected to benefit HRD researchers, HRD practitioners, and organizations by providing TMD theories, research, and practice from different cultural perspectives around the globe. In addition, practical ways of talent development and talent management for organizations are advanced in the issue.