Analysis of factors affecting staffing policies in international construction companies

The staffing approaches of international construction firms are not limited to cost and legal frameworks, but are shaped by multidimensional factors such as cultural fit, digitalization, and workforce mobility. This study aims to determine the impact of cultural fit, perceptions of legal regulations, perceptions of economic costs, level of digitalization, and perceptions of workforce mobility on staffing approach selection. The limited number of studies in the literature that holistically examine the variables affecting the staffing strategies of international construction firms using multivariate statistical methods makes this study unique and contributing. A quantitative research method was adopted in this research, and a five-point Likert-type survey form was developed as the data collection tool. The developed scale was initially piloted with a sample of 36 participants, demonstrating a high level of internal consistency with an overall Cronbach's alpha of .939. Following the pilot application, the survey form was revised, and the final application was conducted with a sample of 100 international construction company employees. During the analysis, the data were tested for normal distribution using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and skewness/kurtosis tests, and multiple linear regression analysis was applied. According to the findings, the level of cultural fit was found to significantly affect staffing preferences (β = 0.333; p < 0.001). The level of digitalization was found to have a negative and significant effect on staffing preferences (β = -0.169; p = 0.049). The perception of workforce mobility also had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.225; p = 0.022). However, the perception of legal regulations (β = 0.109; p = 0.265) and the perception of economic costs (β = 0.128; p = 0.101) did not produce a statistically significant difference. According to multiple regression analysis, the model was found to be significant (F(5.94) = 6.705; p < .001), and all independent variables together significantly predicted staffing preferences, supporting Hypothesis 6. The explanatory power of the model was found to be R² = .263, indicating that 26.3% of the variability in staffing preferences could be explained by cultural, legal, economic, digital, and mobility-based factors. In conclusion, it appears that staffing strategies are being reshaped in international construction firms, with cultural fit, digital infrastructure, and access to a mobile workforce being key determinants of these preferences. In this context, the study not only contributes theoretically but also provides findings that can guide firms in practical directions.