Feature of the Month
: Shifts in the Global Workforce
With a growing population, one might assume global employers have a large workforce to recruit from. However, that is not the case as the availability of skilled workers is actually shrinking. As populations begin to age, a demographic divide has begun creating talent shortages in various markets around the world. This divide will arise between countries with younger skilled workers and those that face an aging, and therefore shrinking workforce. For example, in the European job market more workers retired this past year than new workers joined the workforce. While in India, one-third of the population is now under the age of 15 creating a much younger workforce.
Other large economies such as Russia, Canada, South Korea, and China also have more people at retirement age than young workers ready to join the workforce. Emerging markets with young labor forces such as Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia may benefit from a shrinking global workforce as productivity may increase when these workers join the labor pool and these workers can even fill needs in markets overseas. Young skilled workers are now more important than ever as populations age dramatically in advanced economies. A young workforce is needed to sustain productivity worldwide and promote growth in the global economy by filling needs in markets with shrinking labor pools. Globally aware workers ready to join the labor force will determine the future in today’s global economy as the demographic divide pushes forward.
Featured Resources
International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP)
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) aims to bring together outsourcing customers, providers, and advisors to maximize the effectiveness of using outsourcing as a management tool. The site provides information on membership to the association, events, and links to various outsourcing resources. Case studies and online articles in the Knowledge Center require membership.
Category: Outsourcing
Business Traveller
Launched in the UK, the Business Traveller magazine provides information for the frequent business traveler on topics such as aviation, hotels, etc. While articles from the current issue require a subscription to view, the user can access past issues and other helpful information. The City Guides section features compact guides to visiting major cities of the world.
Category: Travel/Living Abroad
Featured Academy
International Monetary Systems
The International Monetary Systems module provides one with information concerning: the history of the International Monetary System; the importance of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, including their basic purposes and functions; what money markets and international money markets are; what international capital markets are and their function in both developing and high-income countries; international security markets; and the basics of the European Monetary System. A case study on Argentina’s recent economic crisis is available.
Category: Institutions and Trade
Academy of International Business (AIB)
The Academy of International Business (AIB) is the leading association of scholars and specialists in the field of international business. Established in 1959, AIB has over 3000 members from over 80 different countries. Members include scholars from many academic institutions as well consultants and researchers. The organization also publishes the Journal of International Business Studies, a leading international business journal.
Category: Professional Organizations
globalEDGE Business Review
"The Challenges of Dual Career Households in a Global Economy"
by Leila Heron (Volume 2, Number 4, pp. 1-2, 2008)
The global economy, growing numbers of dual income households, and the increase of international assignments are producing pressure on American multinationals and the Federal Government to provide career transition assistance to spouses/partners worldwide. New support programs emphasizing entrepreneurial skills training and internet savvy show promise to boost employment opportunities abroad.
