Talent Management for the Forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community The Case of Industrial Companies in Thailand

Abstract

The free flow of labor which will result from the
creation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has led to the
consideration of how to manage people in the ASEAN countries.
This paper focuses on talent management in the industrial
companies in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, Rayong
Province, Thailand. It is aimed at investigating talent
management and preparations for the forthcoming AEC. It also
examines whether this talent management and these
preparations differ in accordance with the company’s
characteristics. Quantitative research methodology was
employed in this study. One hundred and twenty questionnaires
were distributed and 98 were returned. The findings revealed
that the companies in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in
Rayong Province utilized talent management at a moderate level.
Industrial type and company size did not show statistical
significance regarding talent management. It was also found that
there was no significant effect of company size on the talent
management. Only one statistical implication was found—that
company size was significant in terms of preparations for the
AEC. Respondents from companies of different sizes exhibited
different preparations for the AEC regarding their
understanding the impact of the AEC and confidence in their
talent management.