Reskilling and Upskilling in a Globalized Economy: Essential Strategies for Workforce Transformation

by Hazel Gruenewald, Maren Mueller

Overview

This book provides an in-depth exploration of upskilling and reskilling strategies, essential in today’s rapidly evolving and complex global landscape. The intensifying war for talent—driven by macro trends such as digitalization, AI, climate change, hybrid working, and demographic shifts—has made addressing the skills shortage a top priority for business leaders. These global challenges not only require organizations to proactively identify and integrate future skills through targeted training programs but also demand a shift toward socially just and ecologically sustainable practices.

Grounded in cutting-edge research and proven practices, this book bridges the gap between theory and practice. It is an invaluable resource for HR professionals, business leaders, and educators dedicated to building a future-ready workforce.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783658483838
Publisher:	Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Publication date:	07/13/2025
Series:	Future of Business and Finance
Pages:	227
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hazel Gruenewald is a Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Reutlingen University (Germany), and brings extensive industry experience in global HR and leadership development to her academic role. She actively collaborates with businesses and international academic institutions on real-world case studies, provides advisory and training services, and delivers keynote speeches. Her research and teaching are firmly grounded in practical, application-oriented areas, including intercultural competence development, sustainable HR management, leadership, negotiation, and global teamwork.

Maren Müller is a Professor of Business Studies at Baden-Württemberg Cooporative State University and a member of the management board of the Economic Commission. She is the founder of AthletenWerk GmbH and has been developing reskilling programs for top athletes for over 10 years. For many years, she has also led seminars at St. Gallen Business School, concentrating on performance management, particularly in developing and leading high-performance teams.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Reskilling and Upskilling.- Strategies for Coping With Changing Workforce Demands.- Systematization and Structuring of Reskilling and Upskilling Measures.- Proactive Skills Planning for Targeted Growth.- Insights into Creating Effective and Efficient Reskilling and Upskilling Measures.- Leadership and Corporate Culture in the Context of Reskilling and Upskilling.- Challenges and Opportunities in Reskilling and Upskilling.- Measuring the Success of Reskilling and Upskilling.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In an era where technology is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the ability to reskill and upskill is no longer optional—it’s essential. This book not only provides a strategic roadmap for organizations to stay ahead but a personal highlight is that it also showcases the power of microlearning and personalized learning in making workforce development more effective, scalable, and engaging. A must-read for everyone seeking answers on how to navigate the evolving world of work and build future-ready skills.” (Ramona Mayer, Director, Top Talent Programs, Salesforce, Germany (Spring 2025))

“The skills mismatch has reached a tipping point. Organizations that proactively upskill and reskill their workforce will be best positioned to navigate the disruptions brought by AI, geopolitical shifts, and an evolving labor market. This book arrives at a critical time, offering a pragmatic, evidence-based approach that empowers scholars and practitioners to drive upskilling and reskilling efforts with confidence and lasting impact.” (Dr. Dieter Veldsman, Chief HR Scientist, The Academy to Innovate HR; Professor of Practice, University of Johannesburg, South Africa (Spring 2025))