Introduction

Only companies that are flexible and have the ability to learn and adapt will survive in our ever-changing environment (Collins, 2001). This ability to learn and adapt can be potentially achieved by a company in one of three ways: (a) through the retention of the employees that have this ability, (b) through the development of these abilities in employees, and (c) through the recruitment of new employees. Although all three pathways are important and have to be aligned to deliver optimal results (Stahl et al., 2007), Ulrich and Brockbank (2005) note that recruitment should be regarded as the most important pathway, as it drives the outcomes of other measures (e.g., training and incentives) of the high-potential management system