Human resource management ‘with Chinese characteristics’

Abstract

The paper advances understanding of the conceptual and definitional difficulties confronting human resource management as an emergent field. It then raises the seminal question as to whether it is possible to discuss the notion of HRM as having specific theoretical and operational meaning in the Chinese context. After ranging across a wide spectrum of political as well as empirical evidence, including case studies, the author concludes that to presume HRM is effectively embedded as Chinese practice is very premature, despite optimism that there is a convergent course set between Western HRM practices and Chinese management.