ABSTRACT
This case describes how influential actors in the Austrian subsidiary of McDonald's used the interplay between strong global standards for talent development and local demands for a highly regulated vocational training system to establish a private vocational training center. The case also discusses how this very need – to balance global standards and local demands –resulted in the discontinuation of the training center four years later. By studying this case, students will gain insights into the challenges of attracting and developing talent for manual jobs, understand the links between corporate and HRM strategy, understand the relevance of global HRM standards and local demands for globally operating companies, understand how to balance global standards and local responsiveness, and understand how single actors can make a difference even in a tightly regulated context.
