The need to provide specific technical skills is the top reason behind a predicted rise in global mobility assignments amongst multinational firms in 2013.

This is according to talent, health and finance consultancy Mercer, which spoke with over 750 global firms as part of its Worldwide International Assignments Policies and Practices report, finding that 55% of firms expected an increase in long-term assignments in 2013, and a much larger 70% saying they will undertake a larger quantity of short assignments.

The top five reasons cited for international assignment programmes being in place according to respondents were:

1. Provision of specific technical skills not available locally (47%)
2. Provision of career management or leadership development (43%)
3. Ensuring knowledge transfer (41%)
4. Fulfilling specific project needs (39%)
5. Provision of specific management skills not available locally (38%)

Anne Rossier-Renaud, principal in Mercer’s global mobility business, adds another growing factor: “Relatively low pay increases in some regions and pressure on companies to attract and retain talent, have spurred many to embrace a wider range of global mobility strategies to incentivise high performers.”

The survey also shows that 65% of employers have no specific tools to track and manage assignments and their related cost, other than using basic tools such as Excel and Word – and only 2% specifically measure such programmes’ return on investment.

While a growing number of international assignees are women – 13%, up from 10% in 2010 – Mercer says that family-related issues continue to present difficulties for global mobility.

• Click for more news from recruiter.co.uk on how Blue Chip firms are working together to keep ‘dual career couples' happy, as part of a report from an event on Global Mobility trends last month.