Effective Recruitment of Labour Force from Vietnam for Companies in Kauhajoki : Cultural Differences between Finland and Vietnam in International Recruitment and Integration Process of Vietnamese Employees into Finnish Society

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to suggest an effective recruitment service to recruit right work force from Vietnam for companies in Finland in general and the Kauhajoki region in specific. Another aim was to find out the cultural conflicts between Vietnam and Finland that affected the recruiting process, working and integration of Vietnamese workers in Kauhajoki. In addition, an overview about global labour trends, and Finnish and Vietnamese labour markets was given.

Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied in the survey targeted at Vietnamese workers in Kauhajoki and their employers. The survey focused on the satisfaction level of both employers and employees, and examined the possible problems which employers had with the recruitment process and with Vietnamese workers. On the other hand, problems which Vietnamese workers had in a new working environment and Finnish society were examined. The interviews were conducted with 6 Finnish employers in Kauhajoki. Questionnaires were sent to 18 Vietnamese workers in the first phase and 15 workers during the second phase. The Cultural Dimensions theory of Hofstede was used to analyse cultural conflict phenomena between Finland and Vietnam. The results of the study showed that cultural differences had a profound effect on the mutual understanding and satisfaction of Finnish employers and Vietnamese workers. It was found that the majority of employers were not satisfied with the quality of recruitment. The principal conclusion was that quality-focused recruitment service and cultural training were the main factors in building up effective recruitment service for employers.