Pushing the Right Buttons: Global Talent Management at KONE Corporation

This case describes the global talent management practices of KONE Corporation, a Finnish-based company that is one of the world leaders in the elevator and escalator business. The case provides a general description of the company’s operations and a close-up look at the way in which it manages talent world-wide. The corporation’s responses to managing the complex challenges associated with how to acquire, develop and retain talent in the rapidly growing Chinese market are discussed in detail. The case is written for any audience that will come into contact with talent management systems. It is particularly well suited for MSc and MBA classes in Human Resource Management or International Management. Executives of multinational corporations as well as HR professionals and managers should be interested in this case. The case can also be used as part of a class or executive development program focusing on management issues in China.