The objective of this thesis is to shed more light on the subject of travelling during sabbaticals as a personnel policy instrument for IHRM to set new motivation, commitment incentives with various development perspectives for their employees in this challenging environment by a critical analysis of its potential chances and risks. For this purpose, the present thesis is subdivided into seven chapters.
While in the chapter 1, the problem statement has already been demonstrated and the limitations on the elaboration with the goal of a straight-line work and a clear scope will follow, the real scientific work starts in chapter 2. This chapter gives an understanding of the challenges and characteristics of internationally operating companies. It serves to create a fundamental understanding of how Travel-Sabbaticals can play a role for these companies. In order to make the necessities and challenges of the international employers, clearer, selected contents on cultural diversity and the importance of intercultural competences, the complexity of the IHRM and the new requirements due to global trends are covered.
In chapter 3, general theoretical foundations of the basis construct sabbatical are presented. The theory is supplemented by insights into international companies handling of sabbaticals and already achieved experiences with this instrument. Based on the previous, chapter 4 deals with the new approach Travel-Sabbatical, which can be seen as a specific upgrade of sabbaticals. Hereto the history and meaning of travelling is focused on and a closer look will be taken on the previously cited quotation from Goethe. This is followed by the definition of and further information on Travel-Sabbaticals to build the base for a profound understanding of what is needed in the next chapters.
Chapter 5 is then explicitly dedicated to chances and economic advantages for international employers. It investigates the positive effects on the employees due to travelling during the professional time out. Chapter 6 is focused on the risks and costs that may arise with the personnel policy instrument Travel-Sabbatical. It completes the critical analysis of chances and risks with a simplified cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the most important results will be summed up und supplemented by recommendations for action in chapter 7 and the perspectives of employees, the most important success capital for companies, will be in the limelight of Travel-Sabbaticals.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Problem Statement
1.2 Theoretical Objective and Structure of the Thesis
1.3 Demarcations and Scope
2 Challenges of International Companies in View of Multiculturalism
2.1 Cultural Diversity Determines Daily Business
2.2 International Human Resource Management Takes Up a Central Position
2.3 Megatrends Require New Motivation and Commitment Incentives
3 Sabbaticals Can Be Seen as One Solution
3.1 History and Definition of Sabbatical
3.2 Models and Characteristics of Sabbaticals Orientate on Employee Needs
3.3 Current State and Relevance Shows Sabbaticals Are in Great Demand
3.4 Practice Insights of Sabbaticals in International Companies
4 Travel-Sabbaticals Can Offer A Plus for International Companies
4.1 Humans Have Been Travelling Since Their Existence
4.2 Travelling is Well Known to Broadens the Mind and this is Desired
4.3 Definition and Meaning of Travel-Sabbatical
4.4 Preconditions and Attractive Offer Impulses for Travel-Sabbaticals
5 Chances and Economic Advantages for International Employers
5.1 Development of Intercultural Competences
5.2 Increase of Employees Motivation
5.3 Realization of Potentials of Megatrends for Higher Commitment
5.4 Encouragement of Soft Skills, Different Thinking and Innovation
6 Risks and Costs for International Employers
6.1 Entrepreneurial Risks in Advance to Travel-Sabbatical Realizations
6.2 Complications due to the Absence of the Sabbatical Beneficiary
6.3 Business Reintegration Risks
6.4 High Costs Related to Travel-Sabbaticals and Can Exceed Benefits
7 Conclusion
7.1 Achievement of Objective
7.2 Perspectives
Objective and Main Themes
The primary objective of this thesis is to critically analyze the concept of "Travel-Sabbaticals" as a personnel policy instrument for international companies, aiming to increase employee motivation and commitment through professional development during extended travel periods.
- Multicultural challenges in international human resource management (IHRM).
- The evolution of the sabbatical concept towards a "Travel-Sabbatical" model.
- Chances and economic advantages for employers, including the development of intercultural competences.
- Risks, costs, and management hurdles associated with the implementation of Travel-Sabbaticals.
- Integration of megatrends into modern human resource strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Humans Have Been Travelling Since Their Existence
Travelling is one of the activities that everyone is talking about, but rarely someone can define it and so the term results in a multitude of attempts. Based on the German word origin, the following explanation for travelling is practical. The German word for travelling is ‘(das) Reisen’ and is derived from the word ‘risan’, which means as much as standing up and elevating. Keeping to this derivation it is possible to see travelling as the action of standing up for initiating a change of location, whereby it can be combined with a stay on the final destination. It is about “to make a journey, usually over a longer distance.”
Humans have been travelling already since their existence. Human travelling has its origin round about 1.2 million years ago, in Africa, where our distant ancestors were always moving in search for food or protection against climate changes. Later on, travelling took place in the form of conquests and crusades, pilgrimages and trade journeys, as well as exploratory journeys, research expeditions and educational journeys. In today’s society, travelling is mostly related to business trips, recreational and wellness trips as well as pleasure and adventure trips. The ability and the willingness as well as the passion to travel seem deeply rooted in human instincts. To this day, this has not changed. On the contrary, humans are more in motion than have ever been before.
The increased number of vacation days since the 1970s and the growth of the tourism industry have brought the necessary space as well as the prerequisites for the entire working population to travel. Even ordinary workers and employees are able to travel for example to the neighbouring countries, while higher-earners invest more frequently in long-distance trips. Travelling is becoming much more comfortable, faster, safer, less expensive and less complex. People sit down in the car, bus, train, airplane or ship to escape the daily routine and the working life for a day, a weekend or several weeks and months. For example, people go for shopping to New York, for romantic weekends to Paris, for business meetings to London and for holidays somewhere around the world.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Defines the problem statement regarding modern megatrends in the business world and outlines the thesis objective to analyze Travel-Sabbaticals as a new IHRM instrument.
2 Challenges of International Companies in View of Multiculturalism: Discusses how globalization and megatrends force international companies to rethink their motivation and commitment strategies within a multicultural environment.
3 Sabbaticals Can Be Seen as One Solution: Provides a theoretical foundation by defining the history and models of sabbaticals and demonstrates their rising demand as an instrument for time-outs.
4 Travel-Sabbaticals Can Offer A Plus for International Companies: Introduces the "Travel-Sabbatical" as a specific upgrade, emphasizing the educational value of travel and setting the framework for implementation.
5 Chances and Economic Advantages for International Employers: Analyzes the positive impacts of Travel-Sabbaticals, particularly focusing on intercultural competence, employee motivation, and personal development.
6 Risks and Costs for International Employers: Examines the potential negative aspects, including management risks, reintegration hurdles, and financial costs that companies must account for.
7 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that while Travel-Sabbaticals offer significant potential for employee enrichment, they require careful, case-by-case planning and cost management.
Keywords
Travel-Sabbatical, Sabbatical, International Human Resource Management, IHRM, Megatrends, Intercultural Competence, Motivation, Employee Commitment, Work-Life Balance, Personnel Development, Globalization, Individualization, Skill Society, Corporate Strategy, Human Resource Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this bachelor thesis?
The thesis examines the potential of "Travel-Sabbaticals"—a professional time-out combined with travel—as a modern personnel policy instrument for international employers to boost employee motivation and commitment.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work explores multicultural challenges in business, the evolution of sabbatical models, the benefits of travel for intercultural development, and the associated operational risks and costs for companies.
What is the main research objective?
The research aims to determine whether providing employees with a structured way to travel during a sabbatical can serve as a competitive advantage by aligning employee needs with corporate goals.
What methodology is applied?
The author performs a critical analysis based on existing scientific literature on human resource management, motivation theories, and current megatrends in the modern working world.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body investigates the transition from traditional sabbaticals to travel-centric models, evaluates the chances for professional development, and presents a simplified cost-benefit analysis for employers.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Travel-Sabbatical, IHRM, Employee Motivation, Intercultural Competence, and Corporate Megatrends.
Does the thesis consider the employee's perspective?
Yes, it analyzes the employee's desire for personal development and travel, noting that success depends on a mutual agreement between the individual's needs and the employer's operational requirements.
How does the work address the financial risks for companies?
The thesis includes a dedicated chapter on risks and costs, highlighting factors like reduced workforce availability, reintegration challenges, and the potential misuse of the sabbatical purpose.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marina Gentgen (Autor:in), 2017, Critical Analysis of Travel-Sabbaticals for International Employers. Chances and Risks, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/458029
