A diachronic analysis of HRM transfer: Taiwanese multinationals in the UK

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a diachronic analysis to explore the influence of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the adoption of human resource management (HRM) practices at different stages.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology starts with an intensive literature review to establish an analytical framework by bringing country of origin and country of management effects on the HRM transfers. By using a longitudinal qualitative research design, a total of 164 interviews from four British subsidiaries of four Taiwanese multinationals were conducted to explore the change over time during the HRM transfer processes over a five‐year period.

Findings

The results provide evidence of the paradox as a result of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the adoption of HRM practices over time.

Research limitations/implications

It is problematic to conclude absolutely regarding the convergence or divergence of HRM practices. This is due to HRM practices being in a constant state of flux between global integration and local adaptation during the transfer process.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to examine the impacts of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the HRM transfers from emerging multinationals in the advanced economy from a diachronic perspective.

Citation

Chang, Y., Smale, A. and Tsang, S. (2013), "A diachronic analysis of HRM transfer: Taiwanese multinationals in the UK", Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 464-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCM-06-2012-0050