Critical Analysis of Travel-Sabbaticals for International Employers. Chances and Risks

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2017 in the subject Economics - Other, grade: 1,7, University of Applied Sciences Essen, course: Abschlussarbeit des Bachelor Studiengangs International Management, language: English, abstract: The objective of this thesis is to shed more light on the subject of travelling during sabbaticals as a personnel policy instrument for IHRM to set new motivation, commitment incentives with various development perspectives for their employees in this challenging environment by a critical analysis of its potential chances and risks. For this purpose, the present thesis is subdivided into seven chapters. While in the chapter 1, the problem statement has already been demonstrated and the limitations on the elaboration with the goal of a straight-line work and a clear scope will follow, the real scientific work starts in chapter 2. This chapter gives an understanding of the challenges and characteristics of internationally operating companies. It serves to create a fundamental understanding of how Travel-Sabbaticals can play a role for these companies. In order to make the necessities and challenges of the international employers, clearer, selected contents on cultural diversity and the importance of intercultural competences, the complexity of the IHRM and the new requirements due to global trends are covered. In chapter 3, general theoretical foundations of the basis construct sabbatical are presented. The theory is supplemented by insights into international companies handling of sabbaticals and already achieved experiences with this instrument. Based on the previous, chapter 4 deals with the new approach Travel-Sabbatical, which can be seen as a specific upgrade of sabbaticals. Hereto the history and meaning of travelling is focused on and a closer look will be taken on the previously cited quotation from Goethe. This is followed by the definition of and further information on Travel-Sabbaticals to build the base for a profound understanding of what is needed in the next chapters. Chapter 5 is then explicitly dedicated to chances and economic advantages for international employers. It investigates the positive effects on the employees due to travelling during the professional time out. Chapter 6 is focused on the risks and costs that may arise with the personnel policy instrument Travel-Sabbatical. It completes the critical analysis of chances and risks with a simplified cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the most important results will be summed up und supplemented by recommendations for action in chapter 7 and the perspectives of employees, the most important success capital for companies, will be in the limelight of Travel-Sabbaticals.

Inhalt
Table of Contents List of AbbreviationsList of Figures List of Tables1 Introduction1.1 Problem Statement 1.2 Theoretical Objective and Structure of the Thesis 1.3 Demarcations and Scope2 Challenges of International Companies in View of Multiculturalism2.1 Cultural Diversity Determines Daily Business 2.2 International Human Resource Management Takes Up a Central Position 2.3 Megatrends Require New Motivation and Commitment Incentives 3 Sabbaticals Can Be Seen as One Solution 3.1 History and Definition of Sabbatical3.2 Models and Characteristics of Sabbaticals Orientate on Employee Needs3.3 Current State and Relevance Shows Sabbaticals Are in Great Demand 3.4 Practice Insights of Sabbaticals in International Companies 4 Travel-Sabbaticals Can Offer A Plus for International Companies 4.1 Humans Have Been Travelling Since Their Existence 4.2 Travelling is Well Known to Broadens the Mind and this is Desired 4.3 Definition and Meaning of Travel-Sabbatical4.4 Preconditions and Attractive Offer Impulses for Travel-Sabbaticals 5 Chances and Economic Advantages for International Employers 5.1 Development of Intercultural Competences 5.2 Increase of Employees Motivation 5.3 Realization of Potentials of Megatrends for Higher Commitment5.4 Encouragement of Soft Skills, Different Thinking and Innovation 6 Risks and Costs for International Employers 6.1 Entrepreneurial Risks in Advance to Travel-Sabbatical Realizations 6.2 Complications due to the Absence of the Sabbatical Beneficiary 6.3 Business Reintegration Risks6.4 High Costs Related to Travel-Sabbaticals and Can Exceed Benefits7 Conclusion 7.1 Achievement of Objective 7.2 PerspectivesList of References Literature Sources Internet Sources