EU Regional Headquarters: Implications for Host Countries and Skills of Domestic Labor Force

Inhaltsangabe: Abstract: The diploma thesis concentrates on regional headquarters and the effect they have on a host countrys labor market and the skill level of its labor force. The first part of the thesis deals with the available literature giving an overview of the evolution of the topic and the most prominent issues and countries researched regarding regional headquarters. Moreover, definitions of transnational corporations, regional headquarters and the region of interest here are given in order to determine the scope of this thesis. The second part is empirical in nature. Based on the results of the literature review, a quantitative survey was conducted in order to examine the current situation of Austrian regional headquarters. Therefore, a questionnare was sent to all regional headquarters located in Austria. Furthermore, qualitative research appears in the form of two case studies. At the end of the thesis the results are summarized and recommendations are given for policy makers. The key results of the work are: RHQs actually have a positive effect on the domestic labor market, that is on the employment rate as well as on the level of skill. Structure of the Diploma Thesis: Each chapter is opened by a general introduction and closed by a sub-section which includes a summary and further research implications. The reader is introduced to the topic at hand by a literature review in chapter 3. This section contains two main parts: the analysis of studies and articles published in academic journals; and the description of books and other types of publication. All authors quoted in the course of my work are already included in the review which implies that it provides the foundation of the upcoming chapters. Chapter 4 builds the basis for the topic at hand. It defines the object of investigation, namely RHQs by using definitions provided by pervious authors. Of course, it takes a closer look at transnational companies which are the superior organization