Developing economies offer more lucrative jobs opportunities

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Executives around the world overwhelmingly favour developing economies over the more established global powers such as the United States, Europe and Japan for job opportunities in today's economy.

Sixty-four percent feel that Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC nations) offer the best career options, compared with 22 per cent who selected the United States and just nine per cent who selected other developed economies such as Western Europe and Japan.

The latest Executive Quiz released by The Korn/Ferry Institute focused on perceptions about international career options by today's business leaders.

According to the survey findings, 61 percent of respondents had been offered an international assignment and among them, four-fifths (83 percent) had moved out of their country of origin for a career opportunity.

Sixty-three percent said the current economy would not affect their decision to take an overseas assignment, while 22 per cent said they were more likely to accept an international post if offered during an economic slow down.

Not surprisingly, 83 per cent of respondents felt that international assignments have the potential to accelerate career growth.

A full 82 per cent said they would commit to an international assignment for a year or longer, with 24 per cent willing to move for more than five years. Only 12 per cent of respondents said they would not take an international position for any length of time.

Overwhelmingly, the largest barrier to accepting an international post is family considerations (62 per cent), followed by language (13 per cent), difficulties returning to country of origin (eight per cent), security (five per cent), cost (five per cent) and living standards (four per cent).

''Today's leaders have to be globally aware and understand a variety of international markets, economies and cultures to support their career growth,'' said Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer of Korn/Ferry International.

''The allure of the emerging markets presents significant career opportunities in a time of great change. Our survey results demonstrate how willing executives are to be mobile, which is increasingly a prerequisite for top management in global companies.'' The Korn/Ferry Institute Executive Quiz is based on a global survey of executives registered within the firm's online Executive Center, ekornferry.com. Respondents from more than 70 countries, representing a wide spectrum of industries and functional areas, participated in the most recent Executive Quiz in July-August 2008.

The Korn/Ferry Institute was founded to serve as a premier global voice on a range of talent management and leadership issues.

UNI SBA MP RK1944