Skip to main content

The Strategic Adaptation Process in International Human Resource Management: A Case Study

  • Chapter
Human Resource Planning

Summary

Compared with their U.S. and European counterparts, Australian companies with few exceptions are relative newcomers to global business operations. One of the consequences of the push to internationalize is the need to develop human resource (HR) strategies that effectively utilize a multinational work force.

This article presents a case study of an Australian bank which recently acquired a British competitor with an established global presence. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with company personnel: Australian repatriates, expatriates from the British acquisition currently working in the Australian-based group headquarters, and spouses. The case illustrates the strategic issues confronting companies as they try to cope with the multinational workforce inherited via international acquisition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Australian Financial Review, 16/8/88, p. 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, J.E. “Human Resource Management as a driving force in business strategy,.” Journal of General Management, 1988, 13(4), p. 88–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desatnick, R.L. and Bennett, M.L. Human Resource Management in the Multinational Company. New York: Nichols, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P. “International Human Resource Management.” In L. Dyer (Ed.) Human Resource Management: Evolving Roles and Responsibilities. Washington, DC: ASPA/BNA Handbook of Human Resource Management Series, 1, 1988a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P. “International and Domestic Personnel/Human Resource Management: Similarities and Differences.” In RS. Schuler, S.A. Young-blood, and V.L. Huber (Eds.) Readings in Personnel and Human Resource Management (3d ed.) St. Paul: West Publishing, 1988b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P. and Schuler, R. International Dimensions of Human Resource Management. Boston: PWS-Kent, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, P. and Welch, D. “International Human Resource Management in Australian Companies,.” Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 1988, 6(1), p. 39–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, L. “Bringing Human Resources into the Strategy Formulation Process.” In Heneman, H. & Schwab, D. (Eds.) Perspectives on Personnel/Human Resource Management (3d ed.). Homewood: Irwin, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, T. “Human Factor the Key to Successful Takeovers,.” Business Review Weekly, April 24, 1987, p. 80–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamill, J. International Human Resource Management in British Multinationals. Paper presented at European International Business Association Conference, December 13–15, 1987, Antwerp, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M.G. “The Executive Family: An Overlooked Variable in International Assignments,.” Columbia Journal of World Business, 1985, 20(1), p. 84–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heenan, D. and Perlmutter, H.V. Multinational Organization Development Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, C. and Pettigrew, A. “The Practice of Strategic Human Resource Management,.” Personnel Review, 1986, 15(5), p. 3–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Wiedersheim, P.F. “The Internationalization of the Firm—Four Swedish Cases,.” Journal of Management Studies, 1975, 12, p. 3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, C. “Managing the Human Factor Can Help an Acquisition Succeed,.” Human Resource Management Australia, 1987, 25(2), p. 54–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurent, A. “The Cross-Cultural Puzzle of International Human Resource Management,.” Human Resource Management, 1986, 25, p. 91–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorange, P. “Human Resource Management in Multinational Cooperative Ventures,.” Human Resource Management, 1986, 25, p. 133–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luostarinen, R. The Internationalization of the Firm. Helsinki: Acta Academic Oeconomica Helsin-giensis, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan, I.C. and Schuler, R.S. “Gaining a Competitive Edge through Human Resources,.” Personnel, April, 1985, p. 24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendenhall, M. and Oddou, G. “The Dimensions of Expatriate Acculturation: A Review,.” Academy of Management Review, 1985, 10, p. 39–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, P.V. “International Human Resource Management: Fact or Fiction,.” Personnel Administrator, 1986, 31(9), p. 43–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahavandi, A. and Malekzadeh, A.R. “Acculturation in Mergers and Acquisitions,.” Academy of Management Review, 1988, 13(1), p. 79–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negandhi, A. International Management. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ondrack, D. “International Transfers of Managers in North American and European MNEs,.” Journal of International Business Studies, 1985, 16(3), pp. 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, M. Competitive Advantage, (New York Free Press, 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, M. “Changing Patterns of International Competition,.” California Management Review, 1986, 28(2), p. 9–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pucik, V. “Strategic Human Resource Management in a Multinational Firm.” In H.V. Wortzel and L.H. Wortzel (Eds.), Strategic Management of Multinational Corporations: The Essentials. New York: Wiley, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. “Compensation of Overseas Personnel.” In Famularo, J.J. (Ed.), Handbook of Human Resources Administration (2d ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R.D. International Business Management: A Guide to Decision Making (2d ed.). Hinsdale: Dryden, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tung, R. “Stratege Management of Human Resources in the Multinational Enterprise,.” Human Resource Management, 1984, 23, p. 129–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USA Today, December 11, 1987, p. 2B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, L. The Intemationalisation Process of Australian Firms. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Queensland, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, L. and Luostarinen, R. “Internationalization: Evolution of a Concept,.” Journal of General Management, 1988, 14(2), p. 13.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

David M. Schweiger Klaus Papenfuß

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Gabler Verlag, Wiesbaden

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dowling, P.J., Welch, D.E. (1992). The Strategic Adaptation Process in International Human Resource Management: A Case Study. In: Schweiger, D.M., Papenfuß, K. (eds) Human Resource Planning. Gabler Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-83820-9_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-83820-9_12

  • Publisher Name: Gabler Verlag

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-409-13860-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-322-83820-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics