Skip to main content
Log in

The Place of International Human Resource Management in International Business

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Management International Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of whether International Human Resource Management (IHRM) is disconnected from other International Business (IB) studies. A content analysis was conducted of 383 articles published in five main international business journals used by IHRM scholars as outlets for their work over a 21 year time span. We classified the articles into two streams of IHRM research: international assignment management and what we term MNC-related research. These streams were found to be given almost equal research attention, developing in tandem across the time period examined. A thematic analysis of articles within each stream facilitated the identification of areas receiving the most research concentration, those with partial attention, and topics yet to be explored. A third stream of articles we designated as non-empirical allowed consideration of theoretical developments within the field. This assessment demonstrates how IHRM is developing a stronger connection with more general IB research.

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

Access this article

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

  • Al-Husan, F. B., & James, P. (2003). Cultural control and multinationals: the case of privateized Jordanian companies. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 14(7), 1284–1295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1997). Writing narrative literature reviews. Review of General Psychology, 1(3), 311–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhaskar-Shrninivas, P., Harrison, D. A., Shaffer, M. A., & Luk, D. M. (2005). Input-based and time-based models of international adjustment: meta-analytic evidence and theoretical extensions. Academy of Management Journal, 48(2), 257–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björkman, I., Stahl, G. K., & Morris, S. (2012). International human resource management research: an introduction to the field. In G. K. Stahl et al. (Eds.), Handbook of research in international human resource management (2nd ed., pp. 1–12). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, J. S., Mendenhall, M., & Oddou, G. (1991). Towards a comprehensive model of international adjustment: an integration of multiple theoretical perspectives. Academy of Management Review, 16(2), 291–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolino, M. C. (2007). Expatriate assignments and intra-organizational career success: implications for individuals and organizations. Journal of International Business Studies, 38(5), 818–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2009). Introduction to meta-analysis. Chichester: John Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brewster, C. (1999). Strategic human resource management: the value of different paradigms. Management International Review, 39(3), 45–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caligiuri, P. M. (1999). The ranking of scholarly journals in international human resource management. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 10(3), 515–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantwell, J., & Brannen, M. Y. (2011). Positioning JIBS as an interdisciplinary journal. Journal of International Business Studies, 42(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, T., Grant, D., & Heijties, M. (1999–2000). Researching comparative and international human resource management. International Studies of Management and Organization, 29(4), 6–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collings, D. G., & Mellahi, K. (2009). Strategic talent management: a review and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 19(4), 304–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collings, D. G., Scullion, H., & Morley, M. (2007). Changing patterns of global staffing in the multinational enterprise: challenges to the convention expatriate assignments and emerging alternatives. Journal of World Business, 42(2), 198–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corley, K. G., & Gioia, D. A. (2011). Building theory about theory building: what constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 36(1), 12–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dabic, M., González-Loureiro, M., & Harvey, M. (2013). Evolving research on expatriates: what is ‘known’ after four decades (1970–2012). International Journal of Human Resource Management. doi:10.1080/09585192.2013.845238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P. J. (1999). Completing the puzzle: issues in the development of the IHRM field. Management International Review, 39(3), 27–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P., Festing, M., & Engle, A. D. (2013). International human resource management: managing people in a multinational context (6th ed.). Mason: Thomson South-Western College Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downe-Wambolt, B. (1992). Content analysis: method, applications, and issues. Health Care for Women International, 13(3), 313–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duriau, V., Reger, R. K., & Pfarrer, M. D. (2007). A content analysis of the content analysis literature in organization studies. Organizational Research Methods, 10(1), 5–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edström, A., & Galbraith, J. R. (1977). Transfers of managers as a coordination and control strategy in multinational organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 22(2), 248–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, P., Pucik, V., & Björkman, I. (2011). Global challenge: international human resource management (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farndale, E., Scullion, H., & Sparrow, P. (2010). The role of the corporate HR function in global talent management. Journal of World Business, 45(2), 161–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferner, A. (2009). HRM in multinational companies. In A. Wilkinson et al. (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of human resource management (pp. 539–558). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furrer, O., Thomas, H., & Goussevskaia, A. (2008). The structure and evolution of the strategic management field: a content analysis of 26 years of strategic management research. International Journal of Management Reviews, 10(1), 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Education Today, 24(2), 105–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, D. A., Cavusgill, S. T., & Xu, S. (2008). Emerging themes in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 29(7), 1220–1235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hailey, V. H., Farndale, E., & Truss, C. (2005). The HR department’s role in organisational performance. Human Resource Management Journal, 15(3), 49–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M. G., & Buckley, M. R. (1997). Managing inpatriates: building a core competency. Journal of World Business, 32(1), 35–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M. G., Speier, C., & Novecevic, M. M. (2001). A theory-based framework for strategic global human resource staffing policies and practices. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 12(6), 898–915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harzing, A.-W. (2001). Of bears, bumble-bees, and spiders: the role of expatriates in controlling foreign subsidiaries. Journal of World Business, 36(4), 366–379.

  • Harzing, A.-W., & Pennington, S. H. (2011). International human resource management (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khilji, S. E. (2002). Modes of convergence and divergence: an integrative view of multinational practices in Pakistan. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 13(2), 232–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y., & Gray, S. (2005). Strategic factors influencing international human resource management practices: an empirical study of Australian multinational corporations. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(5), 809–830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, K. J., Tosi, H., & Cannella, A. A., Jr. (1999). Multilevel theory building: benefits, barriers, and new developments. Academy of Management Review, 24(2), 243–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kostova, T., & Roth, K. (2003). Social capital in multinational corporations and a micro-macro model of its formation. Academy of Management Review, 28(2), 287–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krippendorff, K. (2004). Reliability in content analysis: some common misconceptions and recommendations. Human Communication Research, 30(3), 411–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, K., Bae, J., & Lawler, J. L. (2010). High commitment HR practices and top performers: impacts on organizational commitment. Management International Review, 50(1), 57–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarova, M., Westman, M., & Shaffer, M. (2010). Elucidating the positive side of the work-family interface on international assignments: a model of expatriate work and family performance. Academy of Management Review, 35(1), 93–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, T., & Cavusgil, S. T. (1995). A classification and assessment of research streams in international marketing. International Business Review, 4(3), 251–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lombard, M., Snyder-Duch, J., & Bracken, C. C. (2002). Content analysis in mass communication: assessment and reporting of intercoder reliability. Human Communication Research, 28(4), 587–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., & Slocum, J. W., Jr. (1997). The journal of world business is launched. Journal of World Business, 32(1), 1–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mäkelä, K., Björkman, I., & Ehrnrooth, M. (2010). How do MNEs establish their talent pools: influences on individuals’ likelihood of being labelled as talent. Journal of World Business, 45(2), 134–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, G., & Beaumont, P. (2001). Transforming MNEs: towards a process mode of SHRM change. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 12(8), 1234–1250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayrhofer, W., & Reichel, A. (2009). Comparative analysis of HRM. In P. Sparrow (Ed.), Handbook of international human resource management: integrating people, process, and context (pp. 41–62). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenna, S., Singh, P., & Richardson, J. (2008). The drunkard’s search: looking for ‘HRM’ in all the wrong places. Management International Review, 48(1), 115–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendenhall, M. E. (1999). On the need for paradigmatic integration in international human resource management. Management International Review, 39(3), 65–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minbaeva, D., & Michailova, S. (2004). Knowledge transfer and expatriation practices in MNCs: the role of disseminative capacity. Employee Relations, 26(6), 663–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minbaeva, D., Pedersen, T., Björkman, I., Fey, C. F., & Park, H. J. (2003). MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity, and HRM. Journal of International Business Studies, 34(6), 586–599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myloni, B., Harzing, A.-W., & Mirza, H. (2007). The effect of corporate-level organizational factors on the transfer of HRM practices: European and US MNCs and their Greek subsidiaries. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(12), 2057–2074.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Novicevic, M., & Harvey, M. (2001). The changing role of the corporate HR function in global organizations of the twenty-first century. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 12(8), 1251–1268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oddou, G., Osland, J. S., & Blakeney, R. N. (2009). Repatriating knowledge: variables influencing the “transfer” process. Journal of International Business Studies, 40(2), 181–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, M. W. (2004). Identifying the big question in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(2), 99–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perlmutter, H. V. (1969). The tortuous evolution of the multinational corporation. Columbia Journal of World Business, 4(1), 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, M. (1990). Human resource management in an international perspective. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1(1), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prahalad, C. K., & Doz, Y. (1987). The multinational mission: balancing local demands and global vision. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pudelko, M., & Harzing, A.-W. (2007). Country-of-origin, localization, or dominance effect: an empirical investigation of HRM. Human Resource Management, 46(4), 535–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiche, B. S. (2007). The effect of international staffing practices on subsidiary staff retention in multinational companies. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(4), 523–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, R., & DiMatteo, M. R. (2001). Meta-analysis: recent developments in quantitative methods for literature reviews. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 59–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig, P. M., & Nohria, N. (1994). Influences on human resource management practices in multinational corporations. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(2), 229–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayim, K. Z. (2010). Pushed or pulled: transfer of reward management policies in MNCs. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 21(14), 2631–2658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuler, R., Dowling, P., & De Cieri, H. (1993). An integrative framework for strategic international human resource management. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 4(4), 717–764.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuler, R. S., & Tarique, I. (2007). International human resource management: a North American perspective, a thematic update and suggestions for future research. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(5), 717–744.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scullion, H., & Starkey, K. (2000). In search of the changing role of the corporate human resource function in the international firm. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 11(6), 1061–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, M. A., Kraimer, M. L., Chen, Y.-P., & Bolino, M. C. (2012). Choices, challenges, and career consequences of global work experiences: a review and future agenda. Journal of Management, 38(4), 1282–1327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, P. R. (2009). Integrating people, process, and context issues in the field of IHRM. In P. Sparrow (Ed.), Handbook of international human resource management: integrating people, process, and context (pp. 3–28). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stahl, G. K., Björkman, I., & Morris, S. (2012). Handbook of research in international human resource management (2nd ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Stroh, L., & Caligiuri, P. (1998). Strategic HR: a new source of competitive advantage in the global arena. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 9(1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suddaby, R. (2010). Construct clarity in theories of management and organization: editor’s comments. Academy of Management Review, 35(3), 346–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suddaby, R., Hardy, C., & Huy, Q. N. (2011). Where are the new theories of organization? Academy of Management Review, 36(2), 236–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi, R. (2010). A critical review of expatriate adjustment research through a multiple stakeholder view: progress, emerging trends, and prospects. Journal of Management, 36(4), 1040–1064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarique, I., & Schuler, R. (2010). Global talent management: literature review, integrative framework and suggestions. Journal of World Business, 45(2), 122–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S., Beechler, S., & Napier, N. (1996). Towards an integrative model of strategic international human resource management. Academy of Management Review, 21(4), 959–985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tung, R. (1981). Selection and training of personnel for overseas assignments. Columbia Journal of World Business, 16(1), 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, D. E. (1994). Determinants of international human resource management approaches and activities: a suggested framework. Journal of Management Studies, 31(2), 139–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welch, D. E. (2003). Globalisation of staff movements: beyond cultural adjustment. Management International Review, 43(2), 147–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, D., & Welch, L. (1994). Linking operation mode diversity and HRM. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 5(2), 912–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, B. C., & Plouffe, C. R. (2007). Assessing the evolution sales knowledge: a 20-year content analysis. Industrial Marketing Management, 36(4), 408–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, P., & van de Voorde, K. (2009). Multilevel issues in IHRM: mean differences, explained variance, and moderated relationships. In P. Sparrow (Ed.), Handbook of international human resource management: integrating people, process, and context (pp. 29–40). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Marja Tahvanainen for acting as the independent coder. We would also like to thank the Editors and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. The research was funded by the HSE Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Denice Welch.

Appendix: Details of the selected journals

Appendix: Details of the selected journals

  • IJHRM was launched in 1990 with three issues; growing to 15 issues by 2010. Topics range from IHRM to comparative studies of management and HR, cross-cultural management; single national HRM; and employee and industrial relations studies.

  • JIBS is consistently ranked as the premier journal in the IB field. It was founded in 1970 and is the official journal of the Academy of International Business. JIBS is eclectic in terms of article topics, with the current editors stressing its inter-disciplinary focus. As with IJHRM, the number of volume issues has slowly increased over time—from a steady four issues per year, rising to six in 2003; eight in 2008, and to nine in 2010.

  • MIR is the oldest international management journal, celebrating its fiftieth year of publication in 2010. The journal now publishes six issues per year. Articles are rather eclectic in nature but fall within the stated editorial aim of furthering the field of International Management.

  • JWB was founded in 1965. The journal’s original name was Columbia Journal of World Business, and it adopted its current name in 1997. It accepts papers on a range of topics and disciplines in IM/IB research. It consistently publishes four issues per year.

  • Founded in 1992, IBR commenced as the Scandinavian International Business Review, but changed its name after its first year. It now publishes six issues per year, with a similar eclectic IB/IM scope of articles to MIR and JWB. In 2003, IBR became the official journal of the European International Business Association.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Welch, D., Björkman, I. The Place of International Human Resource Management in International Business. Manag Int Rev 55, 303–322 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-014-0226-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-014-0226-3

Keywords

Navigation