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Global talent management in science-based firms: an exploratory investigation of the pharmaceutical industry during the global downturn

Garavan, Thomas N

Authors

Thomas N Garavan



Abstract

This paper investigates global talent management (GTM) in science-based firms during the global downturn. Literature on the resource-based view, the best-fit perspective and resource dependency theory is used to frame a qualitative study of nine global pharmaceutical firms that explores how multiple actors view GTM during the global downturn. The study investigates how actors perceive the strategic priorities of the firm during the downturn; the challenges of aligning GTM to address these priorities; the values of top management in supporting investment in GTM and the challenges encountered in coordinating and controlling GTM processes. The findings reveal that actors considered GTM to be strategically important because it enabled firms to simultaneously manage downsizing, expansion and structural alignment, and it helped them to prepare for growth in the future. Multi national companies exercised control and coordination of GTM during the global downturn through increased use of structural reporting, greater involvement of headquarter (HQ) and regional HQ in subsidiary talent decisions, networking and cognitive control strategies. The paper concludes by identifying direction for future research on this topic.

Citation

Garavan, T. N. (2012). Global talent management in science-based firms: an exploratory investigation of the pharmaceutical industry during the global downturn. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 23, 2428-2449. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2012.668385

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2012
Deposit Date Apr 17, 2014
Print ISSN 0958-5192
Electronic ISSN 1466-4399
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Pages 2428-2449
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2012.668385
Keywords economic downturn; global talent management; science\-based organisations; top team commitment;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6822
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2012.668385




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