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South Korean MNEs’ international HRM approach: Hybridization of global standards and local practices

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  • Chung, Chul
  • Sparrow, Paul
  • Bozkurt, Ödül

Abstract

This paper analyses the international Human Resource Management (HRM) approaches of Korean Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). Through a study of nine major Korean MNEs’ approaches to subsidiary-HRM, it is argued that the firms pursue hybridization through a blending of localization and global standardization across detailed elements in five broad HRM practice areas. Local discretion is allowed if not counter to global HRM system requirements and “global best practices” used as the template for global standardization of selected HRM elements. This strategic orientation appears to be part of a deliberate response to the “liabilities of origin” born by firms from non-dominant economies.

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  • Chung, Chul & Sparrow, Paul & Bozkurt, Ödül, 2014. "South Korean MNEs’ international HRM approach: Hybridization of global standards and local practices," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 549-559.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:49:y:2014:i:4:p:549-559
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2013.12.008
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    2. Patel, Parth & Sinha, Paresha & Bhanugopan, Ramudu & Boyle, Brendan & Bray, Mark, 2018. "The transfer of HRM practices from emerging Indian IT MNEs to their subsidiaries in Australia: The MNE diamond model," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 268-279.
    3. Andersson, Ulf R. & Brewster, Chris J. & Minbaeva, Dana B. & Narula, Rajneesh & Wood, Geoffrey T., 2019. "The IB/ IHRM interface: Exploring the potential of intersectional theorizing," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(5), pages 1-1.
    4. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 2020. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 538-576, June.
    5. Lee, Eun Su & Liu, Wei & Yang, Jing Yu, 2023. "Neither developed nor emerging: Dual paths for outward FDI and home country innovation in emerged market MNCs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    6. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 0. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-39.
    7. Song, Ji-Won, 2021. "How MNE subsidiaries transfer HRM practices in distant environments: A tale of two IKEA subsidiaries," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(2).
    8. Chul Chung & Masayuki Furusawa, 2015. "The HRM of Foreign MNCs Operating in Europe," John H Dunning Centre for International Business Discussion Papers jhd-dp2015-04, Henley Business School, University of Reading.
    9. Ahlvik, Catarina & Smale, Adam & Sumelius, Jennie, 2016. "Aligning corporate transfer intentions and subsidiary HRM practice implementation in multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 343-355.
    10. Yongsun Paik & Jong Min Lee & Yong Suhk Pak, 2019. "Convergence in International Business Ethics? A Comparative Study of Ethical Philosophies, Thinking Style, and Ethical Decision-Making Between US and Korean Managers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 839-855, May.
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    14. Houldsworth, Elizabeth & Marra, Marianna & Brewster, Chris & Brookes, Michael & Wood, Geoffrey, 2021. "Performance appraisal and MNEs: The impact of different capitalist archetypes," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5).

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