For career-conscious global professionals, where they work is as important as which company they work for, research shows. And London looks like a good choice...

24 January 2006

AMSTERDAM - For career-conscious global professionals, where they work is as important as which company they work for, research shows.

A new report published by London's foreign direct investment agency, Think London, shows that the global professional seeks to add value to their careers, not just by which organisation they work for, but where they work.  

The research, carried out by experts in HR and expatriate management, Michael Dickmann and Tim Mills of Cranfield school of Management, reflected the views and perceptions of individuals rather than the views of corporations.

The researchers looked for the main factors which have an effect on career success and also why London is considered such a career enhancing destination for global workers.

They carried out the research using a 'Career Capital' framework, a tool for understanding the tools and capabilities that affect career development through identifying three types of knowledge that influence success in the global business environment: knowing how, knowing whom and knowing why.

London seen as a good move

There was little doubt that London was seen as a good move. Over 90 percent of the 348 foreign-born executives surveyed said that positive impact on career was the biggest influence for their moving to London. Nearly 60 percent of the executives said they had been promoted during their time in London and almost 80 percent said they expect promotion when they leave.

Nearly all the respondents, 98 percent, felt they had developed a better understanding of global business since moving to London.

London's business culture outstrips rivals

In fact, the business culture in London was highlighted as one of the main reasons for 90 percent of the executives saying that their work motivation had increased. This factor was seen as stronger in London than in rival international cities.

London was also seen as an important city for career networking, with nine out of every ten executives questioned saying that London provided them with career-relevant networks.

The executives also valued what was described as London's open-mindedness, tolerance, and ethnic and cultural diversity and 94 percent said that their time spent in London helped them to develop "a tolerance of diverging views".

Commenting on the report,  Michael Dickmann told Expatica, "The research was not meant to contrast cities but to find out what the career impact of working in London is."

However, Dickmann pointed out that most of the global executives questioned had lived in several other places/cities and generally speaking they were more positive about London.

"In the long run I would like to repeat the study in other major cities to gain some contrast," said Dickmann.

[Copyright Expatica 2006]