Are MNCs norm entrepreneurs of followers? The changing relationship between host country institutions and MNC HRM practices.

Michael Brookes, Chris Brewster, Geoff Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)
42 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Rooted in the literature on comparative capitalism, we examine the effects of host country institutions on the intra-organizational practices of multinational corporations (MNCs), using transnational level survey data, exploring change over time. We found that the less comprehensive institutional mediation of the Liberal Market Economies correlated with greater diversity and a more pronounced difference between domestic firms and foreign MNCs. However, rather than being the predicted norm entrepreneurs, MNCs tended to follow the lead of local firms in adjusting HRM policies and practices towards liberalization. Those most prone to challenging existing orders were in industries facing particular crises of competitiveness. Finally, we found that single regulatory features rather than complex assemblies of institutions exerted particularly strong effects on the individual firms’ practices encompassed in this study.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1690-1711
Number of pages22
JournalInternational Journal of Human Resource Management
Volume28
Issue number12
Early online date11 Jan 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • comparative capitalisms
  • institutional diversity
  • host country effects
  • systemic change
  • MNC
  • employer-employee interdependence
  • delegation to employees

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