International HRM

Question 1

What is international HRM?

Answer 1

In a simple form, IHRM concerns the strategies, structures, policies and processes used to manage people in organisations that operate in more than one country

Question 2

What is Ethnocentrism?

Answer 2

• judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one’s own culture

Question 3

What are Hofstedes 5 major culture dimensions?

Answer 3

Power Distance Index 
Individualism
Masculinity 
Uncertainty Avoidance Index 
Long-Term Orientation

Question 4

What are the convergence theories?

Answer 4

Human Resource Management practices will eventual converge into one model based on US dominated practices

Question 5

What are the divergence theories?

Answer 5

HRM practices will continue to be varied depending on country of origin

Question 6

Why has divergence persisted?

Answer 6

Assimilation of one national culture by another nation is relatively rare
More likely that people from different cultural backgrounds can learn to collaborate
‘corporate diplomat’ – experienced in different national cultures
Specific cultures do not necessarily coincide with national boundaries

Question 7

What are the issues of expatriates?

Answer 7

Role in transferring knowledge and information
Developing knowledge and skills of subsidiary staff
Ensuring behaviour aligns with the group policies
Major challenge for international sport