The role of the state and emergent actors in the development of human resource management in China

Abstract

This article examines the strategic role of the Chinese state in influencing human resource management (HRM) practices. It outlines the relationships between the state and other institutional actors and how the state promotes its HRM ideas by targeting actors in different ways on different HRM issues. It reveals the bargaining powers of actors and the dynamic interactions amongst them in shaping HRM practices. The role of educational institutes and business schools in management development is analysed. The article contributes to the understanding of the role of the developmental state in shaping – or even in parts transforming – HRM practices through institutional isomorphic changes in emerging economies to support their national development goals.

Keywords:

• China
• developmental state
• employment agency
• HRD
• HRM
• institutional actors

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the guest editors and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on the earlier versions of this article. This study was supported by a grant from the ‘Project 211 (Phase III)’ of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China.

Notes

1. ACFTU is the only trade union recognized by the Chinese government and led by the Chinese Communist Party.