Australia ranked sixth in the world for R&D jobs
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20 October 2009
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The October 2009 Global Location Trends Report, prepared by IBM Global Business Services, has ranked Australia sixth for jobs in R&D investment projects and 12th for jobs in services.
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The report is based on data analysed from IBM’s Global Investment Locations Database, which continuously records investment project announcements from around the world.
While India retained its top spot as the main recipient of R&D investment (with a strong emphasis on software development), Australia ranked 6th ahead of Germany and Canada, marking its debut in the top 20 list.
India was also ranked as the top destination for jobs created by investment in services, followed by the UK and the USA. Australia improved its position in services investment moving from 19th place in 2007 to 12th in 2008.
This year’s report shows that global investment activity continues to widen, in line with the potential for new growth and prosperity. Frank Kern, Senior Vice President of Global Business Services observed that companies have reduced their overall level of investment, but have widened the scope of their search to encompass new and more cost efficient locations.
In keeping with the fallout of the Global Financial Crisis, the changes in the approach to international activities were characterised by an emphasis on consolidation of existing operations, lowering capital expenditures on investment projects, and giving greater priority to cost-saving opportunities.
Kern stressed that the economic turmoil of the last couple of years has highlighted the importance of being adaptable and resilient in the face of a more disruptive global economic environment. He predicts that foreign investment flows will start to improve as the global economy begins its path to recovery. |
