Sustainable Talent Management in Aviation: A Compliance-Plus Framework for Labour-Intensive Operations in Emerging Markets

This conceptual paper develops a novel theoretical framework that transcends traditional compliance-based approaches in labour-intensive aviation operations' talent management. Building on Gartner's talent fluidity concepts while addressing aviation-specific challenges, the study fills the gap between regulatory compliance and sustainable workforce development in emerging markets. Using a deductive theoretical approach, the research synthesises stakeholder theory, resource-based view, and institutional theory through comparative analysis of existing models and contextualisation within Mumbai and Kolkata airports as emerging aviation hubs. The research proposes the 'Compliance-Plus Talent Fluidity Model' (CPTFM), positioning legal compliance as a foundation for dynamic talent mobility rather than a constraint. The framework specifies five dimensions: regulatory adherence, talent agility, sustainable engagement, digital integration, and stakeholder alignment, demonstrating how aviation organisations can leverage compliance-plus levels to achieve competitive advantage. This constitutes the first theoretical framework uniquely integrating legal compliance with sustainable talent management for labour-intensive aviation operations, merging talent fluidity principles with aviation constraints to provide insights into employment law considerations in safety-critical environments. While conceptual validation requires future empirical research across different aviation contexts, the framework offers substantial potential for guiding aviation managers in developing compliant yet agile talent systems in emerging markets, advocating for inclusive talent development while ensuring safety compliance and contributing to sustainable aviation workforce development.