Wk11: International Human Resource Management

Question 1

Discuss the role of International HR mgt.

Answer 1

Understanding how employees feel they are being treated is vital to the retention and thus reduced costs. Important for attracting the strongest employees or a “Talent War”

Question 2

Describe the different sources for Human Resources

Answer 2

Home country nationals are citizens of the country where the MNC is headquartered, they can provide technical expertise and facilitate coordination and control.

Host country nationals are local managers hired by the MNC, can be done as MNEs expected to hire local talent and cut the costs of expatriation.

Third-party nationals are another option as saves costs compared to the home country, good knowledge of the region, foreigner perspective and potentially will create a global/transitional image

Inpatriates are individuals from the host country or third party country that are assigned to work in the home country

Question 3

Discuss outsourcing

Answer 3

outsourcing enables companies to capitalise on cheaper labour however may reduce security and quality.

Question 4

Discuss the staffing philosophy fr multinational companies

Answer 4

Ethnocentric staffing approach: Put home-office people in charge of key international management positions.

Polycentric staffing approach: Place local nationals in key positions and allows these managers to appoint and develop their own people.

Regiocentric staffing approach: Relies on local manager from a particular geographic region to hander operations in and around that area.

Global/Geocentric staffing approach: Integrate diverse regions of the world through a global approach to decision making.

Question 5

Outline the Selection criteria for international assignments (8)

Answer 5

General criteria
Adaptability to cultural change (previous travel)
Physical and emotional health
Age, experience, and education
Language training
Motivation for a foreign assignment
Spouse and family adaptability (benefits for children studying abroad)
Leadership ability

Question 6

Issues with expatriation

Answer 6

Two primary concerns of this include the compensation package that is typically based includes significant benefits in addition to complexity for the Payroll system. Repatriation can result in several implications, i.e. not fitting in, not having applicable skills, misunderstanding of the role that would be played upon returning. As a result transition strategies such as repatriation agreements, assisting spouse with counselling, welcome party