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If a diverse workforce makes a better company, why don’t more businesses hire internationally? Innovation and migration strategist Johann Daniel Harnoss, a partner at BCG, details how how to best build the systems and culture to welcome immigrants to your staff.

Johann Daniel Harnoss is a partner and associate director for Innovation, a member of Boston Consulting Group’s Corporate Finance & Strategy practice, and a BCG Henderson Institute Fellow.

Johann co-leads BCG's research on innovation and co-authors BCG’s annual Most Innovative Companies Report. His advisory work centers on developing more effective innovation strategies and operating models to improve clients’ hit rate on breakthrough innovation.

In his role as BCG Fellow, Johann studies the future of global talent mobility, innovation, and the strategic implications for global firms. His work has been published in the Harvard Business Review, the MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Economic Growth, among others.

Johann is the founder and CEO of Imagine Foundation, a social startup dedicated to advancing global equality of opportunity by providing digital coaching to students in the Middle East.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • PhD, economics, Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne
  • Master's in Public Administration/International Development, Harvard University
  • Master of International Management, Thunderbird School of Global Management
  • Diploma in Business Administration, European Business School, Oestrich-Winkel

Publications and Videos

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Most Innovative Companies 2024: Innovation Systems Need a Reboot

Companies have never placed a higher priority on innovation—yet they have never been as unready to deliver on their innovation aspirations. And GenAI is coming.
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Global Workers, Local Impact: The Power of Talent Funds

Public talent investment funds come with a clear business case for action: attracting and retaining global top talent generates a substantial return on investment.
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An Ecosystem Approach to Governing Innovation Hubs

Successful innovation hubs require a careful mix of companies, agencies, talent, technology, funding, and market access, bonded together through the principles of ecosystem governance.
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An Innovation Culture That Gets Results

Culture can be difficult to pin down, but companies that build a strong innovation culture are 60% more likely to be innovation leaders.
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Most Innovative Companies 2023: Reaching New Heights in Uncertain Times

Companies that both prioritize innovation and make sure that they are ready to act are widening the gap over less capable competitors.
Building an Employment Ecosystem for Ukrainian Refugees - Hero

Building an Employment Ecosystem for Ukrainian Refugees

Ukrainian refugees are searching for work. Here’s how stakeholders can come together to support these and other refugee job candidates.
A New Migration Strategy for Growth and Innovation | Rectangle

A New Migration Strategy for Growth and Innovation

BCG’s Global Talent Migration Index can help countries tap the full economic potential of both immigration and emigration—and track their performance over time.
Migration Matters: A Human Cause with a $20 Trillion Business Case

Migration Matters: A Human Cause with a $20 Trillion Business Case

Companies must deploy three strategies—centered on global talent, cross-border innovation, and taking a stand for human rights—to maximize value from migration.
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Most Innovative Companies 2022: Are You Ready for Green Growth?

Companies have plenty of “will” but much less “way” when it comes to climate and sustainability innovation readiness.
When Innovation Has No Borders, Culture Is Key - Rectangle

When Innovation Has No Borders, Culture Is Key

Many companies aspire to global diversity, but only a few achieve it. Here’s how leading organizations overcome cultural obstacles to build globally diverse teams.
The CEO Agenda for an Era of Innovation Without Borders - rectangle

The CEO Agenda for an Era of Innovation Without Borders

There is now a window of opportunity to build bridges for skilled global talent that would ignite innovative growth. It’s not politicians but business leaders who hold the keys to make this happen.
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Innovation Without Borders: The Power of Human Migration in the 21st Century

People who cross borders create vast global networks that generate enormous opportunities, in terms of both economic value and human values. It’s time to explore this immense potential.