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Articles

International human resource management strategies of Chinese multinationals operating abroad

, &
Pages 526-541 | Received 25 Nov 2012, Accepted 01 Jul 2013, Published online: 25 Jul 2013
 

Abstract

Strategic international human resource management (SIHRM) is crucial for the effective leveraging of human resources in organizations to achieve the desired business strategies. There is a rich collection of studies on western multinational corporations (MNCs) in China, but few studies that explore the SIHRM of Chinese MNCs operating overseas. This study utilizes cross-level, in-depth interviews to analyse SIHRM of three large Chinese multinationals. The paper contributes to literature by addressing two contextual SIHRM issues, namely the characteristics of the SIHRM for Chinese multinationals and how their SIHRM orientation facilitates their international investment and operation. The findings indicate that organizational transformation is the starting point for latecomers matching their international HRM strategies. Their SIHRM approaches, such as forming learning organizations, reliance on host-country nationals, reconciling both home and host-country effects and promoting ‘best practices’, facilitate their international operations.

Acknowledgements

We thank Associate Professor Paul S. Hempel (City University of Hong Kong), Professor Anne S. Tsui (Arizona State University), two co-editors of APBR and reviewers for their insightful comments on early versions.

Notes

1. This policy was released at the 16th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) National Delegate Congress – the fourth meeting in Beijing during 16–19 September 2004.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Di Fan

Di Fan (PhD Monash, CPA) is a senior lecturer in strategy and process management at Deakin University. His current research interest includes International Business Strategies, Strategic Human Resource Management and Chinese Management.

Mike Mingqiong Zhang

Mike Mingqiong Zhang (PhD, Monash University; PhD, Nanjing University) is a lecturer in human resource management in La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne.

Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu

Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu (PhD, Tasmania University) is a professor of human resource management (HRM) and Chinese studies in the Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University (Clayton Campus).

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