NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A recent Sibson Consulting survey of U.S.-based multinational companies found that nearly two-thirds of the companies surveyed are maintaining or increasing the size of their expatriate workforce while one-third are decreasing this segment of their workforce.

Key findings include:

• 53% of respondents employing expatriates in China/Hong Kong/Taiwan plan to keep their expatriate workforce the same.
• Almost all companies that are decreasing their expatriate workforce reported doing so because of high compensation costs.
• Replacing expats with local talent was ranked as the top method of reducing costs with 51% of companies saying they intend to increase their investments in local talent.

• 67% reported keeping expat pay the same, with 26% decreasing pay, and only 7% increasing expat compensation.

“Despite the global recession, a majority of U.S. multinationals are maintaining or increasing the number of expatriates around the world,” observes Michael Norman, Senior Vice President and leader of Sibson Consulting’s Organization and Talent Practice. Mr. Norman points out that the top-ranked expatriate skills sought are industry knowledge, leadership ability and technical skills.

“Over the last two years, there has been some change in the ideal expatriate job candidate profile, with greater emphasis placed on language proficiency, cultural awareness and sensitivity,” says Mr. Norman. “Expats’ business capabilities and experience continue to differentiate them from many local candidates.”

Sibson Consulting and IBIS Advisors (an independent, international human resources management consulting firm affiliated with Sibson) invited professionals who work for US-based companies that operate abroad to participate in this study earlier in 2009. Richard Polak, President and CEO of IBIS Advisors, said, "The findings in this survey support our empirical data. Our clients have been concerned about how their competitive expatriate position aligns with their firm's business objectives. The study findings provide confidence in making long-term expatriate decisions."

For further details about the survey, please click on the following link: http://www.sibson.com/services/organization-and-talent/expat-talent-survey/

Sibson Consulting (www.sibson.com), a Division of Segal, provides strategic human resources solutions to corporate and non-profit employers. Sibson's services include benefits, compensation, talent and performance management, communications, sales force effectiveness and change management.