How Multinational Corporations Can Support Refugee Workforce Integration: Empathize Globally, Strategize Locally

Abstract

In the global war for talent, refugees are often overlooked. Yet, research indicates that employers who expanded their recruitment strategies to include refugee jobseekers were not only satisfied with their new hires, but also excited about the potential impact refugee recruitment could have on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies. We use the case of IKEA to show how localization and global strategy interact to create sustainable refugee workforce integration solutions for multinational corporations. Our insights have practical implications for other industry leaders who aim to create their own refugee inclusion programs.

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