Characteristics of highly talented international business professionals defined: Qualitative study among international business professionals
European Journal of Training and Development
ISSN: 2046-9012
Article publication date: 15 February 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of talent in relation to international business to facilitate selection and development of talent in human resources (HR) and human resource development (HRD).
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method design was used: focus groups with business professionals to identify the characteristics of highly talented international business professionals (HTIBP), resulting in a concept profile; Delphi study for validation; systematic comparison of the open coding results to existing literature to identify characteristics of talent.
Findings
A specific and concise profile of HTIBP has been developed. This profile has five domains: achieving results; communicating; innovating; self-reflecting; seeing patterns and interrelationships in a global context. From literature cross-referencing, we have identified innovating, being creative and having a drive to achieve results are most distinguishing for HTIBP.
Practical implications
The paper facilitates an ongoing discussion about what constitutes talent, and offers new perspectives for companies to consider when selecting and developing talent.
Originality/value
The conceptual contribution of the paper offers a fresh and practical empirical perspective on what talent entails.
Keywords
Citation
van Heugten, P., Heijne-Penninga, M., Paans, W. and Wolfensberger, M. (2016), "Characteristics of highly talented international business professionals defined: Qualitative study among international business professionals", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-04-2015-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited