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Explaining variation in reverse diffusion of HR practices: Evidence from the German and British subsidiaries of American multinationals

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  • Edwards, Tony
  • Tempel, Anne

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomenon of 'reverse diffusion' of HR practices in multinational companies, defined as the diffusion of practices from the foreign operations of MNCs to the home country. Drawing on research incorporating fieldwork in the British and German subsidiaries of US-based multinationals, we identify sources of variation in the incidence of reverse diffusion both between firms and between subsidiaries of the same firm.

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  • Edwards, Tony & Tempel, Anne, 2010. "Explaining variation in reverse diffusion of HR practices: Evidence from the German and British subsidiaries of American multinationals," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 19-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:45:y:2010:i:1:p:19-28
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fortwengel, Johann & Gutierrez Huerter O, Gabriela & Kostova, Tatiana, 2023. "Three decades of research on practice transfer in multinational firms: Past contributions and future opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(3).
    3. Latukha, Marina & Poór, József & Mitskevich, Ekaterina & Linge, Dmitry, 2020. "Human resource management practices transferring from foreign firms to Russia: The case of MNCs subsidiaries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 476-486.
    4. Hsiang-Lin Cheng & C.-M. J. Yu, 2012. "Adoption of Practices by Subsidiaries and Institutional Interaction within Internationalised Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 81-105, February.
    5. repec:aia:aiaswp:wp85 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Raess, Damian & Wagner, Patrick, 2022. "South to north investment linkages and decent work in Brazil," Papers 1382, World Trade Institute.
    7. 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.
    8. Leanne Chung, 2014. "Headquarters’ Managerial Intentionality and Reverse Transfer of Practices," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 225-252, April.
    9. Kostova, Tatiana & Marano, Valentina & Tallman, Stephen, 2016. "Headquarters–subsidiary relationships in MNCs: Fifty years of evolving research," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 176-184.
    10. Liu, Ting & Li, Xizhuo, 2022. "How Do MNCs Conduct Local Technological Innovation in a Host Country? An Examination From Subsidiaries' Perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).
    11. Jiang, Fuming & Travaglione, Tony & Liu, Li Xian & Li, Jizhong, 2021. "When does the global mindset affect headquarters–subsidiary relationships?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 523-542.
    12. 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).
    13. Hossain, Mokter & Simula, Henri & Halme, Minna, 2016. "Can frugal go global? Diffusion patterns of frugal innovations," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 132-139.

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