Table of Contents

1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
1.1. Background ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
1.2. Personal Interest ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
1.3. Research Interest ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
1.4. Research Question ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
2. Literature Review …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
2.1. Literature Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
2.2. Managing Diversity ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
2.2.1 Definition of Diversity …………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
2.2.2 Equality and Diversity …………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
2.2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of Diversity Management……………………………………….. 17
2.2.4 The MNE and Diversity …………………………………………………………………………………… 19
2.3. International Human Resources Management …………………………………………………………… 20
2.3.1 Talent management ………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
2.3.2 Global skills supply strategies …………………………………………………………………………… 21
2.3.3 Global knowledge management strategies and management through global networks….. 23
2.4. Employment Permits in Ireland ……………………………………………………………………………… 23
2.4.1 Criteria for Eligibility ………………………………………………………………………………………. 23
2.4.2 Employer Criteria ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
2.4.3 Employee Criteria ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
2.4.4 The Process …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
2.5 Literature Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
3. Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26
3.1. Methodology Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
3.2. Research Philosophy …………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
3.3. Research Approach …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
3.4. Research Strategy ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
3.5. Research Choice ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31
3.6. Time Horizon ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32
3.7. Data Collection …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
3.7.1 Secondary Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………………….. 33
3.7.2 Primary Qualitative Data Collection – Interview Design Process ……………………………….. 34
3.7.3 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
3.8. Population and Sample – Selecting Respondents …………………………………………………….. 36
3.9. Ethical Issues …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 36
3.10. Limitations to the Research …………………………………………………………………………….. 37
4. Data analysis / Findings …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 39
4.1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 39
4.2. Semi-structured interview ……………………………………………………………………………………. 39
4.3. Presentation of findings ………………………………………………………………………………………. 40
4.3.1 Possible reasons for the increase of immigration rate in Ireland ………………………………. 40
4.3.2 The acceptance of Non-Irish professionals from organisations in Ireland …………………… 41
4.3.3 The lack of Irish skilled professionals ………………………………………………………………… 42
4.3.4 Sectors in Ireland that are being challenging to hire suitable candidates …………………… 42
4.3.5 The skills that are in shortage in Ireland ……………………………………………………………. 43
4.3.6 Solutions for filling the gap in shortage skills ………………………………………………………. 44
4.3.7 The typical profile of immigrants applying for jobs in Ireland ………………………………….. 45
4.3.8 Advantages of having a diverse workforce ………………………………………………………….. 45
4.3.9 Disadvantages of having a diverse workforce ……………………………………………………… 46
4.3.10 Challenges of setting up a diverse workforce …………………………………………………….. 47
4.3.11 Employment work visa …………………………………………………………………………………. 47
4.3.12 Future of the Irish labour market ……………………………………………………………………. 48
5. Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 49
5.1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
5.2. Research Objectives: ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
6. Conclusion / Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………… 58
6.1. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
6.2. Recommendations …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 60
7. Self-reflection …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 61
7.1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 61
7.2. Learning Styles …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 61
7.2.1 The Researcher learning style ………………………………………………………………………….. 64
7.3. The MBA …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 64
7.4. The Dissertation Process …………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
7.5. Personal and Professional Development …………………………………………………………………. 67
Appendix 1 – Primary Research Material …………………………………………………………………………… 77
Appendix 2 – Research Timeplan …………………………………………………………………………………….. 79