...f e a t u r e a r t I C Le 647 Interaction Effects of Globalization and Institutional Forces on International HRM Practice: Illuminating the ConvergenceDivergence Debate By Yongsun Paik Irene Hau-Siu Chow Charles M. Vance In the face of globalization, scholars continue to debate about whether a convergence in human resources practices will prevail, or a trend of divergence perspective will persist. Building on institution theory, this article helps to explicate this debate by examining how globalization may interact with different dimensions of local institutional forces to lead to convergence, divergence, or crossvergence Correspondence to: Yongsun Paik, PhD, Professor of International Business & Management, Department of Management, Hilton Center for Business, Loyola Marymount university, One LMu Dr., Los angeles, Ca 90045-2659, 310.338.7402 (phone), 310.338.3000 (fax), yspaik@lmu.edu. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. • DOI: 10.1002/tie.20440 648 f e a t u r e a r tI C l e in international HRM practices for enhanced performance. We also present useful propositions for guiding future empirical research and theory development on the interaction between globalization and different forms of local institutional forces, which in turn influence the formation of successful international HRM practices. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int r o d u c t i o n N otwithstanding the current worldwide...
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...INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Definitions of IHRM: Scullion (2005) tracked the evolution of definitions of IHRM. He observed that although there has been little consensus, definitions have broadly concentrated on examining the HRM issues, problems, strategies, policies and practices which firms pursue in relation to the internationalization of their business. Schuler et al (2009) similarly recently positioned the different views that have existed about the nature of IHRM. IHRM encompasses: ‘. . . the worldwide management of people in the multinational enterprise’ (Poole, 1990; p1) ‘. . . human resource management in an international environment . . . problems created in an MNC performing business in more than one country, rather than those posed by working for a foreign firm at home or by employing foreign employees in the local firm’ (Briscoe and Schuler, 2004; p1) ‘. . .how MNCs manage their geographically dispersed workforce in order to leverage their HR resources for both local and global competitive advantage’ (Scullion, 2005; p5) ‘. . . a branch of management studies that investigates the design of and effects of organizational human resource practices in cross-cultural contexts’ (Peltonen, 2006; p523) ‘. . . all issues related to the management of people in an international context [including] human resource issues facing MNCs in different parts of their organizations [and] comparative analyses of HRM in different countries’ (Stahl and Björkman...
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...Int. J. of Human Resource Management 18:11 November 2007 1895– 1916 The global integration of diversity management: a longitudinal case study Aulikki Sippola and Adam Smale Abstract Whilst the extant diversity management literature has provided a comprehensive array of theoretical frameworks and empirical studies on how organizations can and have approached the management of a diverse workforce, the same cannot be said about the literature on diversity in an international setting. Indeed, from a diversity management perspective we know surprisingly little about how multinational firms are responding to the increasing globalization of their workforce. This study seeks to contribute to this underresearched area through an in-depth longitudinal case study of TRANSCO, a well-known European MNC, which has been attempting to integrate diversity management globally throughout its worldwide operations. Adopting a Finnish host-country perspective, the study investigates what TRANSCO has been integrating, how it has tried to facilitate this and the challenges that have arisen throughout the process. The results indicate that TRANSCO has committed a considerable amount of resources to the global diversity management integration process, reflected in the myriad of integration mechanisms utilized. In terms of their integration strategy, it was evident that TRANSCO was able to achieve global consistency at the level of diversity philosophy, but was forced to rely on a more multi-domestic...
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...study of International Human Resource Management (IHRM) has focused mainly on the policies, practices and strategies of Human Resource practitioners in individual multinational firms. The goal of this special issue is to move beyond this narrow focus at the enterprise level and situate HRM within wider economic, organizational, political and institutional contexts. HRM differs across countries but to date the comparative literature has tended to focus on cultural issues. Research that systematically analyzes socio-economic, institutional and societal contexts and their impact on HRM remains underdeveloped and there is a significant opportunity for work which draws on theory from adjacent fields - e.g. the varieties of capitalism literature, theories of cross-national organization and research in comparative political studies and economic geography all offer potentially useful frameworks. Companies are socially embedded on different levels; local economies, regional districts, national institutions, international networks and transnational regulation are all aspects of the social, organizational and economic structures in which companies are situated. Despite the all-pervasive talk of globalization, the seasoned international business traveller will be acutely aware of differences in the ‘way of doing things’from country to country and from region to region. Such differences are seldom more apparent than in the field of organization and management. Not only will the traveller...
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...divergence and cross-vergence of culture in IHRM, by looking at recruitment and selection in Nigeria as well as the Pension Scheme. It will also focus on the political, economic, social, technical and legal environment a number of factors that influence human resource policies and practice in Nigeria. International human resource management(IHRM) is the term used to refer to the instance where an organisation`s HRM entails managing employees in more than one nation .(Ngo et al 1998 cited in Lloyd and Hartel ,2004, pg60) .According to( Dowling et al, 2008) IHRM covers a wide range of human resource issues faces MNCs in different parts of their organizations additionally ,we include comparative analysis of HRM in different countries.(Capelli and Croker, 1996) argues that international human resource practices is a crucial factor in creating unique organisational competences ,in turn help companies differentiate their products and services and thus build competitive advantage. International HRM refers to relatively separate areas of practice and research (Dowling and Welch ,2004) HRM policies and practices are carried out within an economic, social, political and legal environment .Thus there is a need for considerable historical and cultural insights into local conditions to understand the processes, philosophies and problems of national models of HRM (Hofstede, 1993) .The indigenous Nigeria system is associated with traditional workplaces. These include village farms ,crafts and traditional...
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...45 2014 January International Business Studies and the Imperative of Context. Exploring the ‘Black Whole’ in Institutional Theory Michael Jakobsen ©Copyright is held by the author or authors of each Discussion Paper. Copenhagen Discussion Papers cannot be republished, reprinted, or reproduced in any format without the permission of the paper's author or authors. Note: The views expressed in each paper are those of the author or authors of the paper. They do not represent the views of the Asia Research Centre or Copenhagen Business School. Editor of the Copenhagen Discussion Papers: Associate Professor Michael Jacobsen Asia Research Centre Copenhagen Business School Porcelænshaven 24 DK-2000 Frederiksberg Denmark Tel.: (+45) 3815 3396 Email: mj.int@cbs.dk www.cbs.dk/arc International Business Studies and the Imperative of Context. Exploring the ‘Black Whole’ in Institutional Theory Michael Jakobsen Associate Professor Asia Research Centre Copenhagen Business School mj.int@cbs.dk Abstract The aim of this article is to take a critical look at how to perceive informal institutions within institutional theory. Douglas North in his early works on institutional theory divided the national institutional framework into two main categories, formal and informal institution or constraints as he called them. The formal constraints consisted of political rules, judicial decisions and economic contracts, whereas informal constraints consisted of socially sanctioned norms...
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...Int. J. of Human Resource Management 18:1 January 2007 147– 158 HRM practices in Egypt: the influence of national context? Mike Leat and Ghada El-Kot Abstract In this paper we present the findings of a study which collected data on a range of HRM practices normally used in 58 Egyptian organizations operating in Egypt. The range of practices is concerned with job descriptions, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal and employment security. We examine and discuss these practices in the Egyptian context. The dimensions of the Egyptian environment which we examine include: the socio-cultural context, Islam, the vocational education and training system and elements of the economic and legal environment. The practices and approaches being used by the sample organizations appear to be the product of both culture bound and culture free influences. The main contributions of the study are that it provides much needed information on the HRM practices and approaches being adopted by Egyptian-owned organizations in the early part of the 21st century and provides support for the influence of national context on the HRM practices pursued by indigenous organizations. Keywords Egypt; HRM practices; Islam; institutional context; culture. Introduction: HRM practices and national context Against a background of the increasing internationalization of business, globalization of markets and cross-national activity by multinational...
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...Business Studies (2006) 37, 525–543 & 2006 Academy of International Business All rights reserved 0047-2506 $30.00 www.jibs.net Cross-cultural competence in international business: toward a definition and a model James P. Johnson1, Tomasz Lenartowicz2 and Salvador Apud3 Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins College, Winter Park, USA; 2Deparment of Management, International Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Business, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, USA; 3LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas, Austin, USA Correspondence: Dr James P. Johnson, Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins College, Office number 204, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA. Tel: þ 1 407 646 2486; Fax: þ 1 407 646 1550; E-mail: jpjohnson@rollins.edu 1 Abstract Many international business failures have been ascribed to a lack of crosscultural competence (CC) on the part of business practitioners. However, the international business literature appears to lack an adequate conceptualization and definition of the term ‘CC’, focusing instead on the knowledge, skills and attributes that appear to be its antecedents. In this conceptual study, we propose a definition of CC as it applies to international business and develop a model for understanding how CC is nurtured in individuals, linking our definition to the concept of cultural intelligence. We discuss the components of the model and suggest that there are environmental and contextual impediments to the effective application...
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...effectively in multiple countries by exploiting local difference and interdependencies and at the same time sustaining global consistency.” (Dowling/Festing/Engle, 2013) From the text in the book I believe the differences between domestic and international HRM would be the different countries, where more people are being are sent out of their own countries and work in another country. Many firms underestimate the complexities and problems involved in international businesses, and do not pay enough attention on them It is no surprise when the firms fail in the international businesses, and do not pay enough attention on them. It is no surprise when the firms fail in the international businesses. Evidences arena are usually relative to poor human resources management (Dowling/ Festing/Engle, 2008) Furthermore HRM in an international environment is even more complex than domestic human resources management. Therefore, if the fims want to succeed in the international arena, they should not only have a good domestic human resources management scope, but also have a good international human resources management. In order to have a good international human resource management, they can just copy domestic human resource management and know the differences of the two. Standardization of HRM The factors that drive standardization of human resource management are; • Pursues a multinational or transnational corporate strategy, • Supported by a corresponding organizational...
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...between Domestic and International Human Resource Management 2 What is Expatriate 4 IHRM has three dimensions 4 International assignments create expatriates 5 Increasing Importance of International Human Resource Management 6 Significance of International Human Resource Management 9 Conclusion 11 Reference……. 12 Introduction As we enter the new millennium, more and more companies are recognizing the importance of managing their human resources as effectively as possible. They are also recognizing that doing so, however, cannot be done without recognition and incorporation of the global context. It is virtually impossible to read a business periodical or newspaper anywhere in the world without seeing stories detailing the success of a company due to how effectively it manages its people. As the environment becomes more global, managing people also becomes more challenging, more unpredictable and uncertain and more subject to rapid change and surprise. Thus what we are witnessing within human resource management (HRM) is the rapid appreciation for and development of all aspects of global and international activities and issues associated with and affected by HRM. And because the importance of managing people effectively in the global context is so great, many companies are devoting a great deal more time, attention, skill, and effort into doing it well. To be successful, many firms have to compete on the global playing field because the costs associated...
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...HRM in an MNE Human Resource Management involves a broad set of managerial activities focused on developing and maintaining a qualified workforce in ways that contribute to an effective organization. HRM is becoming more important every day and requires dedicated employees who can balance legal and ethical issues for organizations to be successful; which result from the importance of people as a source of competitive advantage. For a company to produce its goods and services in a productive manner, HRM accommodates employees with the right skills and training, and provide them with an environment in which they can make a powerful impact (Denisi/Griffin, 2012). Compare and contrast two main differences between domestic and international HRM. One main difference between domestic and international HRM is that staff are transferred to different countries to work various roles within the international company’s foreign operations; these employees are called expatriates, who temporarily work and live in a foreign country. For a human resource department to operate in international HRM, they must participate in a variety of activities, such as international taxation, administrative services for expatriates, and services for language translation (Dowling/Festing/Engle, 2013). The second difference between domestic and international HRM, is that IHRM requires a greater involvement in the personal life of the employees. The HRM are responsible for making sure the expatriate understands...
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... More HR activities. • The need for a broader perspective • More involvement in employees’ personal lives. • Changes in emphasis as the workforce mix of expatriates and a local varies. • Risk exposure. • Broader external influences. • Cultural awareness and the role of the international HR manager o Despite the methodological concerns about cross-cultural research, it is now generally recognized that culturally insensitive attitudes and behaviors stemming from ignorance or from misguided beliefs are not only inappropriate but can all-too-often contribute to international business failure. • Attitudes Of Senior Management To International Operations o Managers may tend to focus on domestic issues and minimize differences between international and domestic environments. Not surprisingly, senior managers with little international experience may assume that there is a great deal of transferability between domestic and international HRM practices. The challenge for the corporate HR manager who wishes to contribute to the internationalization of their firm is to work with top management in fostering the desired ‘global mindset’. This goal requires, of course, a HR manager who is able to think globally and to formulate and implement HR policies that facilitate the development of globally oriented staff. 2. As a newly appointed Project Manager of a research team, you consider that you will be able...
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...practice” on HRM has been acknowledged to constitute a major constraint when MNCs try to implement global strategies, mainly because of the different cultural and institutional framework of each country in which the MNC operates. Some even argue that best practice is dead. This essay will examine that although best fit play an important role in the practice of strategic HR management, best practice is still valuable in the context of a multinational corporation (MNC). Introduction In the light of globalization, HRM is evolving from being a mere support function to one of strategic importance and researchers have argued that HRM policies and practices are more significant because they can act as mechanisms for co-ordination and control of international operations. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) involves the development of a consistent, aligned collection of practices, strategies and policies to facilitate the achievement of the organization’ strategic objectives (Mello, 2002). The theory of SHRM does, actually, advocate two ways of linking HRM to strategy. The “best fit” approach is associated with the contingency approaches. It argues that firms must what constitutes a good HR strategy will depend on the specific context. On contrast, the “best practice” speculates that there is a exact set of human resource practices that can been applied in almost any organizational context that helps to improve the performance, thus helps to deliver outcomes that are valuable for...
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...Global Management Session 1: Globalization and You as a Global Manager The session becan by showing a short video called ‘Did you know’ The video briefly pointed out how globalisation has reshaped the world in terms of social, economic, environmental and technological aspects. One of the key idea that the video clip demonstrated is that the economy in emerging markets will overtake the economy in developed countries by 2020 for the first time in human history. Fundamental concepts of the session- What is globalisation, how it has evolved and affected our lifestyles, the globalisation of markets and production Example of Starbucks and Boeing- How did these two firms take the opportunity of globalisation to way they used to operate, and expand in both their home country and overseas . The global economic activities are shifting towards emerging markets, e.g The BRICS Why and how big data will play an essential role in the aspects of business competition and managing a multinational company. Even though global companies account for the world/s ¼ GDP, ½ of these companies ‘profits are still generated from their home coutries, big question is, has globalisation made the world flat and removed the barriers to do business in the globe or do differences still exist across different countries. CAGE Framework- Cultural differences, Administrative differences, Geographic attributes, Economic distance Some examples of the frame work: 1. Cultural differences...
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...HRM in an MNE BUS 325 There are multiple similarities between the international and domestic human resource practices. With areas like; planning and staffing, recruitment and selection, rewards, along with appraisal and development HRM can intertwine with each other and no one would know there is a difference between the two. However, there are two ways to tell them apart. The first one would be the difficulties of working in another country, where you have to adapt your policy and procedures to address their customs and laws. The second one would be the fact of having to hire multiple nationalities in order to facilitate the operation to make sure there are employees that are already accustom to the laws and customs of that region. Working globally has increased the level of work and the challenges and complexity of managing new networks of individuals as well as new companies. When looking at IHRM from this point of view the company must make sure that they are creating an even balance within the organization as well as in the regional location they are operating within. Adapting to the local environment is a major part of being successful within the region. A company must fully understand how sensitive a situation like this can be and must make every effort to succeed. Without adaptation to the region, the company will be sure to fail. International and domestic HRM are different...
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