Why do firms employ foreigners on their top management team? An exploration of strategic fit, human capital and attraction-selection-attrition perspectives

The number of foreigners appointed to top management teams has increased significantly over the past decade. However, the question of why some firms elect to employ foreign nationals in top executive positions remains unclear. This study tests competing explanations based on strategic fit, human capital and attraction—selection—attrition perspectives. Results from empirical tests utilizing a multi-level methodology on a sample of Swiss publicly listed companies suggest that degree of international diversification is positively associated with the likelihood of having a foreign executive, whereas human capital characteristics do not explain the propensity to employ a foreigner on the top management team. In addition, nationality diversity at the board level, as well as the international experience of the top management team, predict the probability of having a foreign top executive.