HROTodayGlobal

Special Report: APAC Outsourcing on the Rise A new study reveals that the Asia-Pacific region is tapping into HRO. By Debbie Bolla The latest hotbed for HR outsourcing activity? It's the Asia- Pacific region (APAC), reports from the HR business process outsourcing (BPO) provider. The online survey found that across Hong Kong, Australia, China, and Singapore, the majority of the 579 HR senior HR and C-suite executives (80 to 90 percent) surveyed is now considering investing in an HR outsourcing engagement. Recruitment and employee retention were cited as major business drivers. Findings from the study by region • Outsourcing one or more function Australia: 87 percent Hong Kong: 80 percent Singapore: 90 percent China: 90 percent • Main challenge faced by respondents and most often outsourced: recruitment Australia: 49 percent Hong Kong: 69 percent Singapore: 66 percent China: 76 percent • Second challenge: retention Australia: 33 percent Hong Kong: 56 percent Singapore: 53 percent China: 65 percent • Third challenge: learning Australia: 30 percent Hong Kong: 19 percent Singapore: 27 percent China: 35 percent • Fourth challenge: engagement Australia: 29 percent Hong Kong: 26 percent Singapore: 35 percent China: 27 percent • Outsourcing benefits: specialised knowledge Australia: 67 percent Hong Kong: 59 percent Singapore: 51 percent China: 59 percent • Outsourcing benefits: freeing up internal resources Australia: 58 percent Hong Kong: 41 percent Singapore: 55 percent China: 57 percent • Outsourcing needs improvement: knowledge of business Australia: 63 percent Hong Kong: 62 percent Singapore: 67 percent China: 67 percent • Outsourcing needs improvement: cost Australia: 49 percent Hong Kong: 50 percent Singapore: 47 percent China: 49 percent • Investing in learning and development Australia: 48 percent Hong Kong: 49 percent Singapore: 48 percent China: 56 percent • Facing a skills shortage Australia: 97 percent Hong Kong: 78 percent Singapore: 75 percent China: 71 percent • Skills shortage solution: upgrading current staff skills Australia: 63 percent Hong Kong: 64 percent Singapore: 74 percent China: 70 percent • Skills shortage solution: increasing contract workforce Australia: 55 percent Hong Kong: 37 percent Singapore: 50 percent China: 42 percent • Skills shortage solution: increasing hours of current workforce Australia: 28 percent Hong Kong: 31 percent Singapore: 28 percent China: 23 percent • Outsourcing's future: respondents starting or increasing their investment over next 12 months Australia: 53 percent Hong Kong: 56 percent Singapore: 55 percent China: 66 percent These findings point to exponential growth for several outsourcing sectors in APAC. The skills shortage is an obvious concern in all regions, and organisations might look to RPO to leverage their expertise and reach in finding the top international talent. Reinvesting in staff via training will also enable organisations to retain their best performers. One thing is for certain: All eyes should remain on this region. [16] HRO TODAY GLOBAL | SUMMER 2011 T alent2 AP AC Market Pulse Study The

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