IHRM

International Human Resource Management

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion and Analysis3

The nature of IHRM4

Characterising IHRM as a field of study5

The Evolution of IHRM In Multinationals As A Focus of Study7

The Substantive Focus of IHRM8

Thematic and Conceptual Concerns9

Strategic contingencies and IHRM strategies9

Conclusion9

References11

International Human Resource Management

Introduction

Globalization has come to dominate much of the discussion in the Western world, whether in academic writing, popular press reports, or casual conversations among friends. Due to myriad factors, the international nature of the modern world has come to impact virtually all aspects of daily life. For several decades, there has been a growing recognition of this trend in the literature of human resource management (HRM) and the emergence of the literature of international human resource management (IHRM).

With globalization assuming such an overriding societal role, much been written to develop our understanding of the implications of such processes. Such world developments have also seen their share of criticism, with violent outbreaks at meetings of the World Trade Organization and highly critical texts and political stances regarding the proper role of the multinational corporation (MNC). Our purpose here is not to address such concerns, but to rather consider the impact that the global world has had on the profession of HRM. (Boyer, 1998)

Discussion and Analysis

As this trend toward globalization has advanced, the academy has increasingly found ways to incorporate such issues into academic writing and other scholarship. Over the last two decades, the International Human Resource Management Conference has emerged as one venue for work in the area of IHRM, broadly defined. Meeting approximately every two years, the conference been held in a wide number of locations around the globe, and has led to the publication of a number of special journal issues and research volumes. This special issue of Personnel Review represents a continuation of past publications. In June of 2009, the International Human Resource Management Conference held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Various IHRM papers presented, and of these, many subjected to a second round of reviews for this particular issue. (Zhang, 2006)

The nature of IHRM

As IHRM has emerged as an academic discipline, a variety of debates and issues have come to dominate the literature. For practitioners, a perennial issue has been the delineation of specific practices to be used in the management of people within international organizations. Over time, practices have emerged, and texts today can readily be found that represent such practices for those working in MNCs as HR managers. (Wächter, 2006)

While the actual aspects of such texts can be useful, the bigger questions of IHRM are to be found in specialized journal articles. Practices are useful, but there are theoretical underpinnings and debates that must be addressed to inform practice in the field. Debates have arisen as to the role of culture in organizations; will MNCs converge on a single set of practices, or will practices remain diverse, even after increased intercultural contact? What is the role of strategic management when extended to the vast MNC. The increased attention to international terrorism cannot be ignored, and emerging economies such as India, China, and Eastern Europe all need ...