Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Globalization Implications for Human Resource Management Roles

  • Published:
Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Globalization influences organizations that compete for customers with high expectations for performance, quality, and cost. Globalization also exerts pressure on the Human Resource Management (HRM) function to adapt to changing organizational needs and add greater value. This paper first reviews global trends, HRM roles, and the implications of globalization and culture for HRM. Using Ulrich’s (Human resource champions: The new agenda for adding value and delivering results. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1997) HRM model and Hofstede’s (Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations (2nd edition). Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA, 2001, Academy of Management Executive 7:81–94, 1993, Organizational Dynamics 9:42–63, 1980) model of national cultural differences, it is argued that knowledge of global business trends, cultural sensitivity, business knowledge, understanding local employment practices, technical skills, and innovation are increasingly important, especially in Multinational Corporations (MNC).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilera, R. V., & Dencker, J. C. (2004). The role of human resource management in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 15(8), 1355–1370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, P. (2004). America’s newest export: White collar jobs. HR Magazine, 49(4), 50–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, R. D., & Du-Babcock (2001). Language based communication zones in international business communication. The Journal of Business Communication, 38, 372–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benedict, A. (2006). 2006 Corporate social responsibility: United States, Australia, India and China—A pilot study. Society for Human Resource Management Workplace Forecast. Retrieved December 16 from http://www.shrm.org.

  • Blendon, R. J., Pelletier, S. R., Brodie, M., Benson, J. M., Hamel, E. C., Raleigh, E., et al. (2005). Immigration and the U.S. economy—The public’s perspective. Challenge, 48(2), 113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohlander, G., & Snell, S. (2007). Managing human resources. Australia: Thomson South-Western.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brockbank, W., & Ulrich, D. (2003). Competencies for the new human resources. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (2005). Union member summary. Retrieved on May 22, 2006 from http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm.

  • Chilton, K. (1993). Lincoln Electric’s incentive system: Can it be transferred overseas? Compensation and Benefits Review, 25(6), 21–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, R. K., & Luk, V. W. M. (2002). Retaining and motivating employees: Compensation preferences in Hong Kong and China. Personnel Review, 31(4), 402–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeCieri, H., Fenwick, M., & Hutchings, K. (2005). The challenge of international human resource management: Balancing the duality of strategy and practice. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(8), 584–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, C. H. (2003). Taking on the Tyco challenge. The New York Times, Sunday, November 23, 2003.

  • Earley, P. C. (2006). Leading cultural research in the future: A matter of paradigms and taste. Journal of International Business Studies, 37, 922–931.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falcone P. (2004). Learning from our overseas counterparts. HR Magazine, 49(2), 113–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferner, A. (1997). Country of origin effects and HRM in multinational companies. Human Resource Management Journal, 7(1), 19–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazee, V. (1998). World leaders target top workforce issues. Workforce, 3(2), 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galloway, D. (2005). Evaluating distance delivery and e-learning. Performance Improvement, 44(4), 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, M. (2003). Developing enterprise e-Learning at kodak. Training and Development, 57(6), 48–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, C., & Sanchez, J. I. (2005). HR’s strategic role within MNCs: Helping build social capital in Latin America. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(12), 2189–2200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, M. E., & Trevor, C. O. (2000). Managing new pay program introduction to enhance the competitiveness of multinational corporations (MNCS). Competitiveness Review, 10(1), 136–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, A. K., & Govindarajan, V. (2001). Converting global presence into competitive advantage. Academy of Management Executive: The Thinking Manager’s Source, 15, 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanrehan, B., & Bentivoglio, D. R. (2002). Safe haven: Accommodating the needs of employees and families in hostile environments can increase expenses and alter tax liability. HR Magazine, 47, 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, P. R., & Morgan, R. T. (1996). Managing cultural difference (4th ed.). Houston: Houston Gulf Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M., & Novicevic, M. N. (2001). Selecting expatriates’ experiences for increasingly complex global assignments. Career Development International, 6(2/3), 69–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1980). Motivation, leadership, and organization: Do American theories apply abroad? Organizational Dynamics, 9, 42–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1984). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1993). Cultural constraints in management theories. Academy of Management Executive, 7, 81–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations (2nd edition). Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G., Neuijen, B., Ohayv, D. D., & Sanders, G. (1990). Measuring organizational cultures: A qualitative and quantitative study across twenty cases. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(2), 286–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javidan, M., House, R. J., Dorfman, P. D., Hanges, P. J., & Sully de Luque, M. (2006). Conceptualizing and measuring cultures and their consequences: A comparative review of GLOBE’s and Hofstede’s approaches. Journal of International Business Studies, 37(6), 897–914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khandelar, A., & Sharma, A. (2005). Managing human resource capabilities for sustainable competitive advantage: An empirical analysis from Indian global organizations. Education & Training, 47(8), 628–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkpatrick, D. L. (1976). Evaluation of training. In R. L. Craig (Ed.), Training and development handbook (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill, New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkpatrick, D. L. (2006). Seven keys to unlock the four levels of evaluation. Performance Improvement, 45(7), 5–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kostova, T., & Roth, K. (2002). Adoption of an organizational practice by subsidiaries of multinational corporations: Institutional and relational effects. Academy of Management Journal, 45(1), 215–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotter, J. P. (1990). A force for change. New York: Free.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotterman, J. (2006). Leadership versus management: What’s the difference? The Journal for Quality and Participation, 29(2), 13–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, E. E. III (2003). How to make a HR strategic partner. Paper presented at the 13th annual Southeast Human Resource Conference, College Park, GA, October 21.

  • Ling, Y., & Jaw, B. (2006). The influence of international human capital on global initiatives and financial performance. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 17(3), 379–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maidment, F. (2004). Globalization and the American labor force. Journal of Individual Employment Rights, 11(2), 111–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meisinger, S. R. (2003). Adding competencies, adding value. HR Magazine, 48, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meisinger, S. R. (2004). Going global: A smart move for HR professionals. HR Magazine, 49(3), 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meisinger, S. R. (2006). Global workforce issues: Challenge and opportunity. HR Magazine, 51(1), 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merck Website (2006). Philanthropy at Merck. Retrieved December 16, 2006 from http://www.merck.com/cr/company_profile/.

  • Morrison, J. L. (2005). The global HR professional—Establishing an ethically effective global network. Society for Human Resource Management White Paper. Retrieved May 18, 2006 from http://www.shrm.org.

  • Nadler, D. A., & Tushman, M. L. (1980). A model for diagnosing organizational behavior. Organizational Dynamics, 9(2), 35–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. M. (2006). Human resource management. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens, J. M., Gomes, G. M., & Morgan, J. F. (2004). Sexual harassment in the European Union: The dawning of a new era. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 69(1), 4–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pameroy, A. (2006). Big Oil’s HR champion. HR Magazine, 51(4), 56–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer, J. (1998). Six dangerous myths about pay. Harvard Business Review, May–June, 109–119.

  • Poutsma, E., Ligthart, P. E. M., & Veersma, U. (2006). The diffusion of calculative and collaborative HRM practices in European firms. Industrial Relations, 45(4), 513–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robb, D. (2004). Building a better workforce: Performance management software can help you identify and develop high performing workers. HR Magazine, 49(10), 86–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schramm, J. S. (2006). SHRM workplace forecast. Alexandra, VA: Society for Human Resource Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schramm, J. S., & Burke, M. E. (2004). SHRM 2004–2005 workplace forecast: A strategic outlook. Alexandra, VA: Society for Human Resource Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seo, M. G., & Hill, N. S. (2005). Understanding the human side of merger and acquisition: An integrative framework. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 41(4), 422–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivakumar, K. (2001). The stampede toward Hofstede’s framework: Avoiding the sample design pit in cross-cultural research. Journal of International Business Studies, 32(3), 555–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, C. M. (1998). Corporate pioneers navigate global mergers. Workforce, 3(5), 12–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroh, L. K., & Caligiuri P. M. (2005) Strategic human resources: A new source for competitive advantage in the global area. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 9(1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svoboda, M., & Schröder, S. (2001). Transforming human resources in the new economy: Developing the next generation of global HR managers at Deutsche Bank AG. Human Resource Management, 40(3), 261–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tahmincioglu, E. (2001). Opportunities mingle with fear overseas. The New York Times, October 24, G1.

  • Tyler, K. (2002). Evaluating evaluations. HR Magazine, June, 1–4.

  • Ulrich, D. (1997). Human resource champions: The new agenda for adding value and delivering results. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, D., & Brockbank, W. (2005). HR: The value proposition. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, D., Brockbank, W., Yeung, A. K., & Lake, D. G. (1995). Human resource competencies: An empirical assessment. Human Resource Management, 34(4), 473–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, J. (2006). Union membership statistics in 24 countries. Monthly Labor Review, 38–49.

  • Wagner, J. A., & Hollenbeck, J. R. (2005). Organizational behavior: Securing competitive advantage. Australia: Thomson South-Western.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z. (2005). Organizational effectiveness through technology innovation and HRM strategies. International Journal of Manpower, 26(6), 481–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, W. (2001). Human Capital Index®: Human capital as a lead indicator of shareholder value. Watson Wyatt Press Release. Retrieved on May 21, 2006 from http://www.watsonwyatt.com/news/press.asp?ID=9047.

  • Wright, A. (2004). Don’t settle for less: Global compensation programs need global compensation tools. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 58(9), 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaleznik, A. (1988). Managers and leaders: Are they different? Harvard Business Review on Leadership. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, M. (2003). Transferring human resource management across national boundaries: The case of Chinese multinational companies in the UK. Employee Relations, 25(6), 613–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., & Martocchio, J. J. (2001). Chinese and American manager’s compensation award decisions: A comparative policy capturing study. Personnel Psychology, 54, 115–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, NY, 13126, USA

    Barry A. Friedman

Authors
  1. Barry A. Friedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barry A. Friedman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Friedman, B.A. Globalization Implications for Human Resource Management Roles. Employ Respons Rights J 19, 157–171 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-007-9043-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-007-9043-1

Key words

Search

Navigation