IMD World Talent Report 2023

Figure 6: “Is full-time presence in the office a necessary condition for career progression and development in your company?” By company size-large. (IMD Executive Survey, 2023)..

As may be expected, there are important differences across industries. Over 40% of executives from compa nies operating in certain sectors affirm that full-time in-office work is not necessary at all in their companies for career advancement and development ( figure 7 ). These industries include art and entertainment, profes sional, scientific and technical activities, administrative and support services, and ICT. Most executives from companies operating in sectors such as accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, electricity and gas supply, construction, and agriculture differ in their perspectives. They consider remote and hybrid work models detrimental for professional advancements, with just less than a fourth of them stating that flexible work arrangements do not impact career progression. At the country level, it is interesting to note how execu tives’ stand towards new models of work relates to some of the fundamental talent competitiveness elements, such as talent attraction and retention, as well as the participation of women in the job market. Figure 8

presence at the office is not a must but matters, this percentage reaches over 40% among executives in medium and large companies. This result indicates that in-office work is perceived as very important in larger and more complex organizations. As may be expected, there are important differences across industries. Over 40% of executives from compa nies operating in certain sectors affirm that full-time in-office work is not necessary at all in their companies for career advancement and development ( figure 7 ). These industries include art and entertainment, profes sional, scientific and technical activities, administrative and support services, and ICT. Most executives from companies operating in sectors such as accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, electricity and gas supply, construction, and agriculture differ in their perspectives. They consider remote and hybrid work models detrimental for professional advancements, with just less than a fourth of them stating that flexible work arrangements do not impact career progression.

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