International human resource management policies and practices of South Korean MNEs: a review of the literature

Abstract

This paper systematically reviews the literature on international human resource management (IHRM) policies and practices of South Korean multinational enterprises (MNEs). It reveals that South Korean MNEs adopt an ethnocentric staffing approach, but are increasingly using more host-country nationals (HCNs). Korean MNEs pay great attention to language training for expatriates, and there is an emphasis on international experience when selecting expatriates. South Korean MNEs tend to adopt home-oriented selection procedures and criteria, performance appraisal and reward-and-compensation schemes for HCNs. A range of training and development programmes are provided to HCNs in order to develop more local managers. However, studies concerning IHRM of South Korean MNEs are scarce and only a few expatriate-related IHRM issues have been empirically examined. As a result, how South Korean MNEs manage IHRM and what is the rationale of their IHRM policies and practices remain largely unknown. This review paper calls for more empirical research and discusses the implications for future research.

Keywords::

• international human resource management
• literature review
• performance management
• recruitment and selection
• reward and compensation
• South Korean MNE

Notes

^1. Haiying Kang, PhD student at University of South Australia, email: [email protected]

^2. Originally the term ‘eui-yok’ meant ‘will’ or ‘ambition’. Paik and Sohn (1998) argue that people with eui-yok have an internal drive to succeed and a mission to accomplish something important. Hence, Koreans demonstrate an exceptionally strong work ethic.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haiying Kang

Haiying Kang is a PhD researcher in the School of Management, Centre for HRM, Division of Business, University of South Australia. Her research interest is international human resource management in South Korean multinationals.

Jie Shen

Dr Jie Shen is Senior Research Fellow in International Graduate School of Business and Centre for HRM, Division of Business, University of South Australia. His main research interests are international human resource management, human resource management and industrial relations. He is the author of Labour Disputes and Their Management in China (Chandos Publishing (Oxford)) and the co-author of International HRM in Chinese MNEs (Routledge).