EU Regional Headquarters

Diploma Thesis from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Personnel and Organisation, grade: 1,0, Vienna University of Economics and Business (Marketing), language: English, abstract: Inhaltsangabe:Abstract:§The diploma thesis concentrates on regional headquarters and the effect they have on a host country's labor market and the skill level of its labor force. The first part of the thesis deals with the available literature giving an overview of the evolution of the topic and the most prominent issues and countries researched regarding regional headquarters. Moreover, definitions of transnational corporations, regional headquarters and the region of interest here are given in order to determine the scope of this thesis. The second part is empirical in nature. Based on the results of the literature review, a quantitative survey was conducted in order to examine the current situation of Austrian regional headquarters. Therefore, a questionnare was sent to all regional headquarters located in Austria. Furthermore, qualitative research appears in the form of two case studies. At the end of the thesis the results are summarized and recommendations are given for policy makers. The key results of the work are: RHQs actually have a positive effect on the domestic labor market, that is on the employment rate as well as on the level of skill.§Structure of the Diploma Thesis:§Each chapter is opened by a general introduction and closed by a sub-section which includes a summary and further research implications.§The reader is introduced to the topic at hand by a literature review in chapter 3. This section contains two main parts: the analysis of studies and articles published in academic journals; and the description of books and other types of publication. All authors quoted in the course of my work are already included in the review which implies that it provides the foundation of the upcoming chapters.§Chapter 4 builds the basis for the topic at hand. It defines the object of investigation, namely RHQs by using definitions provided by pervious authors. Of course, it takes a closer look at transnational companies which are the superior organization. Finally, sub-section 4.4. determines the scope of the region I chose to examine.§Section 5 identifies the most important skills RHQs demand from potential employees. In order to be able to do that, I first took a look at the different responsibilities an Austrian RHQ may assume. For this purpose, sub-section 5.2. deals with the tasks a RHQ undertakes in order to fulfill HQ's requirements and with the services a RHQ provides for its subsidiaries.§Chapters 6 and 7 present the empirical work of my thesis. Both analyze the RHQs currently located in Austria by using quantitative and qualitative research, respectively.§The former provides a list of all Austrian RHQs, including the nationality of the parent company, the industry type they are operating in, the number of staff employed worldwide and in Austria, the location, the geographic scope of their responsibilities, the tasks they assumed and the skills demanded by their employees. Chapter 7 contains case studies of the two most prominent Austrian RHQs in terms of number of employees.§Section 8 gives recommendations for Austria and its policy makers. First, it deals with economic development in general. For this purpose, I chose Vienna as an example because most Austrian RHQs are located in the capital city. Second, it elaborates the effect RHQs have on the Austrian labor market. Based on my literature review, I provide the reader with a list of positive impacts RHQs may have. Furthermore, the topics of direct and indirect employment are dealt with under separate headings.§The final chapter contains an overall conclusion, followed by acknowledgements, appendices and a comprehensive bibliography.§Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Content...