Contemporary Research on Management and Human Resources in China: A Comparative Content Analysis of Two Leading Journals

Abstract

This article analyses some important developments and changes in interest and research studies on management and human resources (HR) in China since the World Trade Organization accession and also suggests possibilities regarding future developments. Professionals and academics are contributing and serving this field through the dissemination of knowledge and ideas in journals. Thus, changes and trends that may have an impact on management and HR concepts, policies and practices can be determined by reviewing such articles. Through content analysis of articles from two leading academic journals, the International Journal of Human Resource Management and the Asia Pacific Business Review, the authors identify common research topics in recent years, examine the use of types of theories and compare and assess the most prevalently used research methodologies. This analysis shows that recent research on management and HR in China has several characteristics – a wide range of topics are covered, the theories used are predominantly western and most employ non-probability sampling and are descriptive in nature. The recognition of these characteristics provides a platform for considering future research and developing appropriates stances in the area.

Keywords:

• China, PRC
• management
• HR research
• content analysis

Acknowledgements

We thank the referees for useful comments on earlier versions of this article. All remaining infelicities remain ours.