Expatriation into and out of Emerging Markets: Challenges for IHRM

Authors

  • Dennis R. Briscoe University of San Diego

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15678/AOC.2014.1103

Keywords:

MNEs, emerging markets, expatriation, international HRM

Abstract

Increasingly, the focus of global business is on emerging – or growth – markets. Up to now, most research in IHRM has focused on management of expatriates from MNEs headquartered in developed countries to positions in subsidiaries in other developed countries. If the research involved expatriate experiences in emerging markets, that fact was rarely mentioned and even more rarely focused on as a significant issue. In this article, I present a review of the literature involving the assignment of expatriates by developed-country MNEs to subsidiaries in emerging markets plus an overview of the literature that now examines the use of expatriates by emerging-market MNEs. First, I define the nature and use of the term “emerging markets”. For practical discussion and research purposes, this term is too broad. Then I review the limited literature on expatriation from developed-country MNEs into emerging-market subsidiaries, assess the research on comparisons between developed-market assignments and emerging-market assignments, and evaluate the newly-developing focus on expatriates from emerging-market-based MNEs who are being assigned to subsidiaries in either other emerging markets or to subsidiaries in developed markets. At the end of the article, I review a number of recent surveys by consulting firms of the challenges MNEs are experiencing today with their assignments of employees to positions in emerging markets and assess whether these experiences are different than prior assignments of expatriates to developed markets and suggest some solutions to the challenges being experienced.

References

Aldrich, G. (2013) “Brookfield Global Relocation Services Global Relocation Trends Survey 2012 – Spotlight on China”. International HR Advisor, Summer: 10–13.

Bailey, A. (2010) “New Locations – Next Eleven (N-11)”. International HR Advisor, Autumn: 2–3.

Beamish, P. W. (1985) “The Characteristics of Joint Ventures in Developed and Developing Countries”. Columbia Journal of World Business 20 (3): 13–19.

Beamish, P. W. (1988) Multinational Joint Ventures in Developing Countries. London / New York: Routledge.

Boyacigillar, N. (1990) “The Role of Expatriates in the Management of Interdependency, Complexity, and Risk in Multinational Corporations”. Journal of International Business Studies 21: 265–73.

Brazier, M. (2013) “Survey Shows Growth in International Employee Transfers Fuelled by Emerging Markets”. International HR Advisor, Summer: 28–30.

Brewster, C. J. and Mayrhofer, W. (eds) (2012) Handbook of Research on Comparative Human Resource Management. Cheltenham, UK / Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Briscoe, D. R. (2015) “Expatriate Integration and Performance in Emerging Markets” in F. M. Horwitz and P. Budhwar (eds) Handbook of Human Resource Management in Emerging Markets. Cheltenham, UK / Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Briscoe, D. R., Schuler, R. S. and Tarique, I. (2012) International Human Resource Management. Fourth edition. London / New York: Routledge.

Budhwar, P. S. and Debrah, Y. A. (2001a) “Introduction” in P. S. Budhwar and Y. A. Debra (eds) Human Resource Management in Developing Countries. London / New York: Routledge.

Budhwar, P. S. and Debrah, Y. A. (eds) (2001b) Human Resource Management in Developing Countries. London / New York: Routledge.

Budhwar, P. S. and Debrah, Y. A. (2010) “Human Resource Management in Developing Countries” in A. Wilkinson, N. Bacon, T. Redman, and S. Snell (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Human Resource Management. London / Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Budhwar, P., Schuler, R., and Sparrow, P. (eds) (2009) International Human Resource Management. Volumes 1–4. London / Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Circle Research for the Santa Fe Group (2013) “Key Findings from the 2012 Global Mobility Survey”. International HR Advisor, Summer: 8–9.

Collings, D. G. and Scullion, H. (2006) “Approaches to International Staffing” in H. Scullion, and D. G. Collings (eds) Global Staffing. London / New York: Routledge.

Collings, D. G. and Scullion, H. (2012) “Global Staffing” in G. K. Stahl, I. Björkman, and S. Morris Handbook of Research in International Human Resource Management. Second edition. Cheltenham, UK / Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Connelly, C. E. and Gallagher, D. G. (2006) “Independent and Dependent Contracting: Meaning and Implications”. Human Resources Management Review 16: 95–106, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2006.03.008.

Dowling, P. J., Festing, M. and Allen, D. E., Sr. (2013) International Human Resource Management. Sixth edition. Andover, UK: Cengage Learning EMEA.

Ernst & Young (2012a) Rapid Growth Market Forecast. London: Ernst & Young Global Limited.

Ernst & Young (2012b) Global Mobility Effectiveness Survey 2012. London: Ernst & Young Global Limited.

Fenwick, M. (2005) “Extending Strategic International Human Resource Management Research and Pedagogy to the Non-profit Multinational”. International Journal of Human Resource Management 16: 497–512, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585190500051480.

Fisher, S. L., Wasserman, M. E., Wolf, P. P., and Wears, K. H. (2008) “Human Resource Issues in Outsourcing: Integrating Research and Practice”. Human Resource Management 47: 501–23, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hrm.20229.

Gammeltoft, P. and Tarmidi, L. T. (2013) “Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in Indonesia: Trends, Drivers, and Impacts”. International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development 6: 136–60, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijtlid.2013.051701.

Gong, Y. (2003) “Subsidiary Staffing in Multinational Enterprises: Agency, Resources, and Performance”. Academy of Management Journal 46: 728–39, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/30040664.

Harris, M. M. (ed.) (2008) Handbook of Research in International Human Resource Management. New York / London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Harvey, M., Speier, C., and Novecevic, M. M. (2001). “A Theory-Based Framework for Strategic Global Human Resource Staffing Policies and Practices”. International Journal of Human Resource Management 12: 898–915, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585190122394.

Harzing, A.-W. (2001) “An Analysis of the Functions of International Transfers of Managers in MNCs”. Employee Relations 23: 581–98, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01425450110409248.

Harzing, A.-W. and Pinnington, A. H. (eds) (2011) International Human Resource Management. Third edition. London / Thousands Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Hauser, J. & Aldred, G. (2012) “Successful International Assignments into Developing Locations: A Preview of Brookfield GRS’ New Spotlight Report”. Strategic Advisor 8 (77): 1–3.

Hieu, P. D. (2013). “Problems and Conflicts in Managing International Joint Ventures in Vietnam”. Philippine Management Review 20: 47–64.

Horwitz, F. M. and Budhwar, P. S. (eds) (2015) Handbook of Human Resource Management in Emerging Markets. Cheltenham, UK / Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Ibrahim, M. (2010) “Toward a Well-governed Africa”. McKinsey Quarterly, June: 1–5.

Jie, L. (2010) “The Strategy of Talent Localization in Multinational Corporations”, http://www.wenku.baidu.com/view/22a167ee4afe04a1b071def5.html, date of access: 27 October 2012.

Jones, S. (2012) “Transnational Learning and Collaboration in Delivering MBA Programs in Emerging Markets: The Challenge of National Culture” in Information Resources Management Association (ed.) Human Resource Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. Three Volumes. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishing.

Jung, J. C., Beamish, P. W. and Goerzen, A. (2008) “FDI Ownership Strategy: A Japanese–US MNE Comparison”. Management International Review 48: 491–524, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11575-008-0034-8.

Knowledge at Wharton (2010) “Why Kenya’s Elkanah Odembo Believes All Roads Should Lead Investors to Africa”, http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2640, 23 November.

Kupka, B., Briscoe, D. R. and Everett, A. M. (2013a) “Influences of International Business Conditions on International Human Resource Strategies for Africa”. Paper to the Annual Conference of the Pan Pacific Business Association, Johannesburg, South Africa, 5 June.

Kupka, B., Briscoe, D. R. and Everett, A. M. (2013b) “Preparing Expatriates for Assignment to Growing Markets in Africa”. Paper to the Annual Conference of the Pan Pacific Business Association, Johannesburg, South Africa, 5 June.

Ladika, S. (2013) “Expats Lost in Translation”. Workforce Management, May: 34–37.

Lewin, A. Y. and Peeters, C. (2006) “The Top-line Allure of Offshoring”. Harvard Business Review, March: 22–24.

Li, X., Wang, J. and Liu, X. (2013) “Can Locally-recruited R&D Personnel Significantly Contribute to Multinational Subsidiary Innovation in an Emerging Economy?”. International Business Review. Available (pre-publication) at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969593112001412, date of access: 6 January 2013.

Matusik, S. F. and Hill, C. W. L. (1998) “The Utilization of Contingent Work, Knowledge Creation, and Competitive Advantage”. Academy of Management Review 23: 680–97, http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/259057.

Maurer, R. (2013a) “International Assignments: Who’s Going Where and Why?” http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/global/articles/pages/ingternational-assignments-survey, date of access: 30 September 2013.

Maurer, R. (2013b) “Millennials Resist Assignments to China, India”. http://shrm.org/hrdisciplines/global/Articles/Pages/Millennials-Assignments-China, date of access: 15 October 2013.

Meinert, D. (2013) “Expatriate Assignments in Growth Markets to Soar”. HR Magazine, January: 20.

Morris, S. S. and Snell, S. A. (2010) “The Evolution of HR Strategy: Adaptations to Increasing Global Complexity” in A. Wilkinson, N. Bacon, T. Redman, and S. Snell (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Human Resource Management. London / Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

O’Neill, J. (2001) “Building Better Global Economic BRICs”. Research Report. New York: Goldman Sachs.

Qi, X. (2013) “Talent Management in Chinese Multinational Corporations”. Master’s Thesis. Vassan, Finland: University of Applied Sciences.

Rowley, C. and Warner, M. (eds) (2008) Globalizing International Human Resource Management. London / New York: Routledge.

Roxburgh, C., Dörr. N., Leke, A., Tazi-Riffi, A., van Wamelen, A., Lund, S., Chironga, M., Alatovik, T., Atkins, C., Terfours, N. and Zeino-Mahmalat, T. (2010). “Lions on the Move – The Progress and Potential of African Economies”. McKinsey Global Institute Report. New York: McKinsey & Company.

Ruiz, C. E., Wang, J. and Hamlin, R. G. (2013) “What Makes Managers Effective in Mexico?”. Leadership & Organizational Development Journal 34: 130–146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01437731311321904.

Rynes, S., Brief, A. and Walsh, J. (2008) Foreword in M. M. Harris (ed.) Handbook of Research in International Human Resource Management. New York / London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Salm, J. (1999) “Coping with Globalization: A Profile of the Northern NGO Sector”. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 28: 87–103, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/089976499773746447.

Scholz, C. and Böhm, H. (eds) (2008) Human Resource Management in Europe. London / New York: Routledge.

Schuler, R. S., Jackson, S. E., Sparrow, P. and Poole, M. (eds) (2004–12). Routledge Global Human Resource Management Series, now including approximately 25 books on various topics in Global HRM, many of which are cited in this bibliography. London / New York: Routledge.

Sim, A. B. (2012) “A Comparative Case Study of the Internationalization Strategies of Malaysian, Singaporean, and Taiwanese Firms”. Journal of Asian Business 24 (3): 85–108.

Sparrow, P. (ed.) (2009) Handbook of International Human Resource Management. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.

Sparrow, P., Brewster, C. and Harris, H. (2012) Globalizing Human Resource Management. Second edition. London / New York: Routledge.

Stahl, G. K., Björkman, I. and Morris, S. (eds) (2012) Handbook of Research in International Human Resource Management. Second edition. Cheltenham, UK / Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Stahl, G. K., Miller, E. L. and Tung, R. L. (2002) “Toward the Boundaryless Career: A Closer Look at the Expatriate Career Concept and the Perceived Implications of an International Assignment”. Journal of World Business 37 (3): 216–27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1090-9516(02)00080-9.

Thite, M., Wilkinson, A., and Budhwar, P. (2011a) HRM Strategies and Practices across Subsidiaries in Multinational Corporations from Emerging Economies – An Indian Perspective. SHRM Foundation Research Report, http://www.shrm.org/about/foundation/research/Pages/SHRMFoundationResearchThite.aspx, date of access: 24 May 2011.

Thite, M., Wilkinson, A., and Budhwar, P. (2011b) Internationalization of India, Inc. SHRM Research Report. Alexandria, VA: SHRM.

Thomas, D. C. & Lazarova, M. (2013) Essentials of International Human Resource Management: Managing People Globally. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Tung, R. L. (1981) “Selection and Training of Personnel for Overseas Assignments”. Columbia Journal of World Business 23: 129–43. United Nations Human Development Reports (2011) Human Development Index. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN.pdf, date of access: 1 October 2011.

Wilkinson, A., Bacon, N., Redman, T. and Snell, S. (eds) (2010) The SAGE Handbook of Human Resource Management. London / Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Yao, C. D. (2013) Experiencing International Assignment: An Exploratory Study of Chinese International Assignees. Thesis for partial fullfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand, http://hdl.handle.net/10179/4917, date of access: 10 October 2013.

Downloads

Published

2015-12-11

Issue

Section

Articles