Globalization and Employment Relations in the Korean Auto Industry: The Case of the Hyundai Motor Company in Korea, Canada and India

Abstract

Examination is made of the complex interactions between globalization and employment relations as reflected in the operations of the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in Korea, Canada and India. After the closure of its short-lived attempt to manufacture cars for the North American market from Canada, the HMC ‘relaunched’ its globalization strategy in India in 1998. An examination of Hyundai's experience in both countries suggests that employment relations is likely to continue to be an evolving blend of company-specific policies and locally-based practices.

Keywords:

• Globalization
• management
• unions
• employment relations
• production systems
• Korea
• Canada
• India

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the Australian Research Council (ARC) for their award of an ARC Discovery Grant for this research project and the helpful comments of the reviewers and editors.