Global Mindsets for Global Careers

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Global Mindsets for Global Careers

• Wim den Dekker
• Senior HR Consultant, Rabobank International
• Prof Dr Paul Jansen
• Amsterdam Center for Career Research, VU
  University Amsterdam
• Dr Claartje J. Vinkenburg
• Amsterdam Center for Career Research, VU
  University Amsterdam

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Research Objective

• To develop an instrument that measures the
  global-mindedness of managers
• Practical use
• Selecting managers for global assignments
• Designing management development programmes

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What is a Global Mindset (GMS)?
A persons attitude toward foreign cultures
A worldwide approach in both headquarters and
subsidiaries
A predisposition to see the world in a
particular way
A state of mind
An openness to and awareness of diversity
across cultures and markets
A cognitive structure or mental map to comprehend
a companys complex environment
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Study Design
Better understanding of GMS concept
Literature review exploratory case study
Providing empirical basis
Managers with global responsibilities
Determining possible dimensions
Global leadership situations
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Case Study Results

• Global managers expressed they are
• Open to global and local developments
• Open to other ways of organising the company (as
  a result of global and local developments)
• Open to people with other cultural backgrounds
• Aware they work with people living in diverse
  time zones
• Optimistic about their job and career
• Interested in working and living abroad

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Identified GMS Dimensions
Markets
Time
People
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Current Study (May June 2007)

• Instrument development based on literature and
  case study findings
• Check the assumed GMS dimensions
• N 1,060 (600 members of national and
  international departments of a Dutch bank 460
  VU University national and international
  students)

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Further Research(H2 2007)

• Personal Factors
• Internat. work experience
• Internat. life experience
• Nationality
• Education
• Age
• Gender
• etc

Global Career Intentions
Global Mindset

• Organisation Factors
• Degree of
• internationalisation
• Industry
• Organisation model
• etc

Leadership Behaviour
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Thank You

• www.globalmindset.nl