Exploring Talent Management Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility in Finnish Companies

The contemporary work landscape is characterized by rapid change and many evolving challenges. Therefore, companies are in increasing need for acquiring fresh knowledge and skills and human capital is acknowledged being a crucial asset for success in business world. The challenge persists in attracting, retaining and managing skilled employees. Though, the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in talent management has been recognized, still there remains a gap in understanding how talent management is integrated into CSR of companies, particularly at the multilevel investigation level. A directed content analysis method was employed on CSR reports of 25 major Finnish companies to explore key talent management practices at normative, strategic, and operational levels, as well as the integration of talent management components into CSR reports. Normative values such as diversity, equity, and inclusion were consistently emphasized in the reports. However, the translation of these values into practical implementation often yielded abstract strategic principles rather than clearly defined operational practices. The companies have placed over reliance on standardized reporting methods rather than providing comprehensive insights into talent management practices.