Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
urgent action from the government. The human resources unit of
one German automotive firm instead reported to being actively
engaged with a regional chamber of commerce, particularly by
initiating specialized educational programmes in fields where
demand was expected to grow (such as electro-mechanical engi-
neering). Additionally, this firm established a corporate university
at its headquarter location to secure the life-long learning of its
employees; (3)
Engagement with higher education
. All of the
interviewees highlighted the importance of structured graduate
programmes. For instance, those from HR departments valued
graduate programmes as a means for talent identification, which
can then be developed through talent management and talent
retention initiatives. On the other hand, interviewees from R&D
units pointed out that these programmes are crucial to integrate
graduates, and particularly PhDs, into industrial research, for
instance by offering the opportunity to conduct small research
projects in site.
From the MNE to the region:
There are several ways in
which firms' capabilities merge with regional ones. For instance,
MNEs often have strong collaborative ties with regional partners
from higher education, such as investments in polytechnics and
support their scientific and technical education. In some cases,
especially in German-owned MNEs operating in Germany, local
skills are improved through collaborations with regional policy
makers, by supporting regional talent management and talent
retention initiatives. For instance, the automotive MNE we investi-
gated operating in Lower Saxony, collaborates actively with state
and city government officials in a 'Study and Stay' programme,
a place branding and talent management initiative designed to
retain university graduates in the regional labour market.
From the region to the MNE:
The
regional availability of sci-
entists and of innovative industries has important consequences
for MNEs' human resources and, therefore, technological capa-
bilities. Indeed, although international recruiting is a key priority
for all of the analysed MNEs, the sourcing of regional scientific
personnel and the recruitment of graduates remains a central
objective in the development of strategic partnerships with local
universities. In some cases, the local availability of scientists has
in fact directly driven the R&D investment decisions of MNEs.
Moreover, in a regional labour market with a high density of
