Practical Skills in International Business: Training Needs for Workforce Competence by Minnesota Companies

Abstract

Companies doing business internationally face the competitive challenges of a constantly changing operational environment. Employees need to update their international knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) frequently by attending training programs. A survey of Minnesota firms indicate that almost all companies are willing to cover the time and cost of employees attending such programs, apparently believing that workforce development benefits both day‐to‐day operations and improves employee morale. The current specialization in educational (K) and training (SA) programs by academic and nonacademic providers largely meets the needs of students and of corporate workforce development, but company competitiveness overseas could be enhanced if international K and SA providers cooperated more closely in complementary programming.

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support provided for the survey by the College of Management, Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Keywords:

• company support for training
• international knowledge, skills, and abilities
• international KSA
• training in international KSA
• workforce competence
• workforce development

Notes

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support provided for the survey by the College of Management, Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.