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Human capital in multinational enterprises: Does strategic alignment matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Chris Changwha Chung

    (Korea University Business School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea)

  • Hye Youn Park

    (Korea University Business School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea)

  • Jeoung Yul Lee

    (College of Business Management, Hongik University, Sejong, Korea
    Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK)

  • Kwanghyun Kim

    (Korea University Business School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea)

Abstract

This research proposes a strategic human capital alignment framework to examine whether the alignment between subsidiary strategy (i.e., export-oriented vs local market-oriented strategy) and human capital (i.e., parent firm vs local-specific human capital) is positively related to subsidiary performance in multinational enterprises (MNEs). We further explore two important exogenous (i.e., foreign exchange rate change) and endogenous (i.e., MNE international experience) boundary conditions, since they may adjust the positive effect of strategic human capital alignment on performance. The analysis, based on 5604 subsidiary observations of 423 MNEs from 1990 to 2012, confirms the positive synergic effect of aligning subsidiary strategy and human capital and shows the moderating effects of foreign exchange rate change and MNE international experience. By presenting the importance of subsidiary strategy – global staffing alignment and the roles of external economic environments and internal organizational capabilities as boundary conditions, the strategic human capital alignment framework suggests that what makes human capital valuable for the firm is its alignment with strategic orientation. Thus managers should carefully deploy the appropriate type of human capital to fulfill the requisite organizational strategy and take into account changing external and internal contextual conditions in applying the framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Changwha Chung & Hye Youn Park & Jeoung Yul Lee & Kwanghyun Kim, 2015. "Human capital in multinational enterprises: Does strategic alignment matter?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 46(7), pages 806-829, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:46:y:2015:i:7:p:806-829
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jingoo Kang & Jeoung Yul Lee & Pervez N. Ghauri, 2017. "The Interplay of Mahalanobis Distance and Firm Capabilities on MNC Subsidiary Exits from Host Countries," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 379-409, June.
    2. Fiona Kun Yao & Kaifeng Jiang & Danielle R. Combs & Song Chang, 2022. "Informal institutions and absorptive capacity: A cross-country meta-analytic study," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(6), pages 1091-1109, August.
    3. Wei Zhang & Xiuli Zhong & Xue Li, 2024. "The impact of degree of internationalization of MNEs on green innovation performance: The moderating role of absorptive capacity and global dynamic management capability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 659-675, January.
    4. Song, Sangcheol, 2022. "Cultural diversification, human resource-based coordination, and downside risks of multinationality," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 562-571.
    5. Sabina Tasheva & Bo Bernhard Nielsen, 0. "The role of global dynamic managerial capability in the pursuit of international strategy and superior performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    6. Lee, Jeoung Yul & Yang, Young Soo & Park, Byung Il, 2020. "Interplay between dual dimensions of knowledge sharing within globalized chaebols: The moderating effects of organization size and global environmental munificence," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    7. Qiao, Penghua & Fung, Anna & Fung, Hung-Gay & Ma, Xinnian, 2022. "Resilient leadership and outward foreign direct investment: A conceptual and empirical analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 729-739.
    8. Lee, Jeoung Yul & Xiao, Shufeng(Simon) & Choi, Byungchul, 2021. "Unpacking the drivers of emerging market firms’ international joint venture formation: The interplay between technological innovation strategies and home- and host-institutional pressures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 378-392.
    9. Sangcheol Song & Jeoung Yul Lee, 2017. "Relationship with Headquarters and Divestments of Foreign Subsidiaries: The Hysteresis Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 545-570, August.
    10. Mohr, Alex & Konara, Palitha & Ganotakis, Panagiotis, 2020. "Explaining the performance of divested overseas subsidiaries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Trąpczyński, Piotr & Banalieva, Elitsa R., 2016. "Institutional difference, organizational experience, and foreign affiliate performance: Evidence from Polish firms," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(5), pages 826-842.
    14. Sabina Tasheva & Bo Bernhard Nielsen, 2022. "The role of global dynamic managerial capability in the pursuit of international strategy and superior performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(4), pages 689-708, June.
    15. Parracho João & Silva Susana, 2021. "Measuring Experience in International Business: A Systematic Literature Review," Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Oeconomica, Sciendo, vol. 66(2), pages 38-55, August.
    16. Jeoung Yul Lee & Daekwan Kim & Byungchul Choi & Alfredo Jiménez, 2023. "Early evidence on how Industry 4.0 reshapes MNEs’ global value chains: The role of value creation versus value capturing by headquarters and foreign subsidiaries," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(4), pages 599-630, June.
    17. Jeoung Yul Lee & Vasyl Taras & Alfredo Jiménez & Byungchul Choi & Chinmay Pattnaik, 2020. "Ambidextrous Knowledge Sharing within R&D Teams and Multinational Enterprise Performance: The Moderating Effects of Cultural Distance in Uncertainty Avoidance," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 387-425, June.
    18. Rickley, Marketa & Karim, Samina, 2018. "Managing institutional distance: Examining how firm-specific advantages impact foreign subsidiary CEO staffing," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 740-751.
    19. Song, Sangcheol, 2020. "Actualization of growth potential in international joint ventures: The moderating effects of localization strategies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(2).
    20. Silbiger, Avi & Barnes, Bradley R. & Berger, Ron & Renwick, Douglas W.S., 2021. "The role of regulatory focus and its influence on the cultural distance – Adjustment relationship for expatriate managers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 398-410.
    21. Lee, Jeoung Yul & Jiménez, Alfredo & Bhandari, Krishna Raj, 2020. "Subsidiary roles and dual knowledge flows between MNE subsidiaries and headquarters: The moderating effects of organizational governance types," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 188-200.
    22. Khadija Straaten & Niccolò Pisani & Ans Kolk, 2020. "Unraveling the MNE wage premium," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1355-1390, December.
    23. Lee, Jeoung Yul & Jiménez, Alfredo & Yang, Young Soo & Irisboev, Ilkhom, 2022. "The evolution of emerging market firms and time until subsidiary exit: Competitive dynamics of domestic market followers and contingency factors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 694-704.

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