Trend Research

DDI is committed to examining today’s and tomorrow’s hottest trends and best practices. CABER, DDI’s Center for Applied Behavioral Research, conducts two bi-annual series of trend research:

  • Selection Forecast – Surveys of recruiting and hiring practices and related talent management issues. (Launched in even-numbered years)
  • Leadership Forecast – Surveys of trends and issues related to leadership and leader development. (Launched in odd-numbered years)

CABER also investigates special topics around optimizing human talent in the workplace.

Trend Research Reports

Executive summaries for most trend research reports are available below. (Where an executive summary is not available, the full report is provided.) To obtain a complete report call (US) 1-800-944-7782 or (outside the US) 1-724-746-3900 (Please ask for Client Services.).

DDI TrendTrackers receive copies of research reports as they are released. They also have the opportunity to benchmark their organizations against others by participating in survey research. To become a TrendTracker, click here.

DDI’s latest research reports: 

HCI Mid-level Managers

Mid-Level Managers
The Bane and Salvation of Organizations
DDI and HCI have published a new study on HR’s perspective on the challenges middle managers face in today’s organization. Read more on the findings, which include low levels of engagement among this critical level and a less than positive outlook for the future.  

Pulse of the Workforce SurveyPulse of the Workforce
2009 Survey of Individual Contributors
Half of individual contributors feel their jobs are stagnant. And 1 out of 3 just do their jobs, nothing more. All at a time when organizations can ill afford to have unproductive, poorly engaged individual contributors. Explore the findings and implications of DDI’s latest report. 

(Sort ascending with this arrow Sort Ascending | sort descending with this arrow Sort Descending)

Title Sort Ascending Sort Descending Category Sort Ascending Sort Descending
2004-2005 Super Human Resources: Realizing Manufacturing Excellence Through Better People full study (in conjunction with IndustryWeek and MPI) (PDF)Talent Management
2007-2008 Global Sales Perceptions Report Sales Talent
A Survey of Trust in the Workplace (1999) (PDF)Trust
Are You Failing the Interview?Hiring
DDI Survey Findings from the 2006 Talent Management Strategies Conference (PDF)Talent Management
Developing the Global Executive (in conjunction with the Institute of Executive Development) (PDF)Global HR
Employee Retention in China 2006–2007—The Flight of Human TalentTalent Management
Global Auto Plant Start-Ups (PDF)Hiring
Global Leadership Forecast 2008|2009: Overcoming the Shortfalls in Developing LeadersLeadership
Growing Global Executive Talent: High Priority, Limited Progress (in cooperation with the Economist Intelligence Unit)Executive
Healthcare Selection Forecast 2006-2007 (PDF)Hiring
Holding Women Back: Why Women are Under-Represented at the C-levelSuccession Management
HR Executive's Agenda (in conjunction with the Aberdeen Group) (PDF)Global HR
Is the Sales Force Delivering Business Value? (UK, 2007)Sales Talent
Leaders in Transition: Stepping Up, Not Off (2007)Leadership
Leadership Forecast 2005-2006: Best Practices For Tomorrow's Global LeadersLeadership
Leadership in China: Keeping Pace with a Growing Economy full study (2005) (PDF)Leadership
Leading the Past. Preparing the Future. (2006) (DDI Australia's 30-year perspective on business and leadership) (PDF)Leadership
Managing and Developing Talent in China and India 2006 (PDF)Talent Management
Managing Performance: Building Accountability for Organizational Success (2003) - Executive Summary (PDF)Performance Management
Managing Performance: Building Accountability for Organizational Success (2003) - Full Report (PDF)Performance Management
Mid-Level Managers: The Bane and Salvation of Organizations Leadership
New Talent Management Network 2nd Annual Talent Management Survey (PDF)Talent Management
Pulse of the Workforce: 2009 Survey of Individual ContributorsWorkforce Development
Retaining Talent: A Benchmarking Study - Executive Summary (2000) (PDF)Miscellaneous
Retaining Talent: A Benchmarking Study - Full Report (2000) (PDF)Miscellaneous
Sales: Strategic Partnership or Necessary Evil? (US/Canada, 2008)Sales Talent
Selection Forecast 2006-2007Hiring
Succession Management: Addressing the Leadership Development Challenge (in conjunction with the Aberdeen Group) (PDF)Succession Management
Super Human Resources in China: Practices, Performances, and Opportunities Among China's Manufacturers (2005) (in conjunction with IndustryWeek and MPI) (PDF)Talent Management
Swapping Engines in Mid-Air: The 2008 Sales Talent Benchmark StudySales Talent
Talent Management in Motion: Keeping Up with an Evolving Workforce (2007) (PDF)Talent Management
The CEO’s Role in Talent Management (in conjunction with The Economist Intelligence Unit) (2006)Talent Management
The Globalization of Human Resource Practices - Executive Summary (2000) (PDF)Global HR
The Globalization of Human Resource Practices - Full Report (2000) (PDF)Global HR
The State of e-Learning: Developing Soft Skills - Executive Summary (2003) (PDF)e-Learning
The State of e-Learning: Developing Soft Skills - Full Report (2003) (PDF)e-Learning

Trend Research Archive