People management is the biggest barrier to international growth, says ADP

04 March, 2020

93% of businesses say that managing employees globally limits their international expansion
71% agree that HR-related issues are among the most challenging barriers to expansion

London, UK – 4^th March 2020: Nearly all organisations (93%) say that growing and managing their employee base in new countries limits their international expansion to some degree, with more than one in ten (12%) stating that it limits their expansion completely. This is according to the HR Challenges of International Expansion report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), commissioned by ADP, an international payroll company.

The report surveyed 1,000 C-Suite and HR executives globally, across a range of different sectors to explore the motivations, priorities, and challenges of international expansion. The study revealed that businesses grow their operations for various reasons- and face varying obstacles when expanding internationally.

According to the survey, 46% of respondents say that recruitment challenges are one of the greatest obstacles to their global expansion, while 71% say that HR-related issues are some of the most challenging barriers they have when expanding beyond their home country. The prevalence of these challenges shows that organisations must focus on their employees- both current and prospective- when driving to create an international workforce that can compete on a global scale.

Commenting on the findings, ADP UK’s Managing Director Jeff Phipps said, “Despite the world becoming even more connected, ADP’s research shows that companies are struggling to manage their employees globally. The inability to manage a global workforce effectively can hinder businesses’ ambition for international expansion and cripple progress.

While companies must understand that growth always brings with it many challenges, they are not insurmountable obstacles. These challenges may not be straightforward, as aside from logistical hurdles there are often also cultural differences between different geographies that managers need to understand and adapt to. The ability to plan, manage, and oversee an international workforce well is something that can make all the difference during this transition period.

Phipps continued, “Adopting technological tools that help to streamline and automate HR processes and collect employee data can alleviate some of the challenges of international growth by providing insights into their workforce, providing a singular view across multiple countries. This will free up time for HR teams, enabling them to focus on tasks that provide added value- such as nurturing their employees across the globe. If the right technology and software are in place, expansion can become far easier to manage, leaving businesses to enjoy the benefits of operating internationally.”

ENDS

About the HR Challenges of International Expansion Global Report
The ADP HR challenges of international expansion report was conducted by The Economist Group, and surveyed 1,000 businesses across 15 countries worldwide. The research assessed how companies are expanding, the reasons for expansion, and the challenges they face.

About ADP (NASDAQ – ADP)

Designing better ways to work through cutting-edge products, premium services and exceptional experiences that enable people to reach their full potential. HR, Talent, Benefits, Payroll and Compliance informed by data and designed for people. Learn more at https://uk.adp.com/.

Media Contacts:

Hiwot Wolde-Senbet, Flagship Consulting
Natasha Cobby, Flagship Consulting
Eleanor Mackintosh, Flagship Consulting adp@flagshipconsulting.co.uk
020 7680 7104