Expected Surge in Expatriate Postings Leads Companies to Re-Think Global and Mobile Working Strategies

DALLAS, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- International companies are expecting to post many more executives abroad in the next five years, according to a new research report, "Up or out: next moves for the modern expatriate," from the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Regus.

With demand stagnating in western markets, the pressure to expand into China, India and other major emerging markets is intensifying. Almost four out of ten (39%) of companies plan to increase their expatriate staff over the next five years, according to the survey of 418 senior executives with responsibility for overseas offices.

"Expatriate strategies provide an insight into broader trends in globalization whether it's the regions companies are investing in or the daily operational challenges involved in setting up an office," says Paul Lewis, managing editor of Executive Briefing at the Economic Intelligence Unit and editor of the report.

New ways of working

Getting the right talent in the right place for the right length of time involves an array of decisions and experimentation around the design of expatriate assignments, and the location and nature of these roles.

"This survey shows that globalization is forcing companies to review their approach to where they locate their operations, and how they manage human resources and property. The needs of global, mobile and flexible workers are exacerbating the challenge of providing a right-sized workplace infrastructure for a reasonable cost. By using this survey to explore the pressures faced by businesses and their expatriate staff, we can help them deal with the challenges," comments Mark Dixon, Global CEO of Regus plc.

Other key findings of the survey include:

- Executives are keen to be part of the global and mobile working trend. Four in five executives believe that an assignment in a "major emerging market" aids career progression.

- Companies are far more likely to send expatriate staff to China, India and other Asian countries than to any other emerging market region. The Middle East, Russia and Eastern Europe combined are the next most common destinations.

- Around three in five expatriates believe that their corporate HQ does not sufficiently grasp the nature of the local business environment. One in three complains of excessive interference.

- More than half of expatriates are sent to a particular destination for a period of between two and five years. But there has been a rise in flexible working practices such as short-term and "commuter" assignments.

- Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents believe that "cultural sensitivity" is the most important attribute of an expatriate.

Up or out: Next moves for the modern expatriate is available free of charge at:

http://www.eiu.com/sponsor/expatriates

Notes for editors

Up or out: Next moves for the modern expatriate is an Economist Intelligence Unit briefing paper sponsored by Regus. As part of the research, the Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a global online survey in July 2010 of 418 senior executives working in 77 countries. Over half were board level or C-suite; the rest were in senior management roles. Almost two fifths worked in companies with annual global revenues below $500m and 28% in companies above $10bn. The survey results were supplemented with in-depth interviews of senior executives and independent experts knowledgeable in the field.

About the Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. As the world's leading provider of country and business intelligence, the Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information about the Economist Intelligence Unit can be found at http://www.eiu.com or follow us on http://www.twitter.com/theeiu

About Regus

Regus is the world's largest provider of workplace solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video communication studios. Regus delivers a new way to work, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

Over 800,000 customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,100 locations in 500 cities and 85 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information and images please visit: http://www.regus.presscentre.com

SOURCE Regus