Book excerpt: Economic and political reforms and globalization in the developing world have led to the emergence of companies that are expanding beyond their national borders into the international arena. The transformation into multinational corporations is generally not accompanied by a change in the way they manage their talent. There is a disconnect between globalization and talent management. Yet the most effective and sustainable source of competitive advantage is talent. Talent Management in the Developing World explores how the policies, systems and procedures that have been successful within national boundaries are inadequate to meet the value propositions of completely different and diverse people working in different countries, cultures, legal and socio-economic environments. In fact they may be dysfunctional to talent management. Using the perspective of the developing world, Dr Elegbe outlines the shift in paradigm and practice that is required if organizations are to develop a sustainable talent management strategy in these countries. A global approach to talent management assures competitiveness and sustainability of success in the international environment but change will not happen until line and HR managers see its urgency and criticality. That is the endeavour of this book.