Article
Recruitment of young SIEs in China and transnational strategic ability: A diary analysis
European Academy of Management (EURAM) 2018 Conference, June 20-23, Reykjavik, Iceland.
(2018)
Abstract
An increasing number of foreign employees are recruited in China. In addition to recruitment by subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs), this includes local firms hiring foreign executives, experts and fresh foreign graduates. This study draws on data from a longitudinal research project to provide an analysis of the earliest stages of recruitment of young self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Contributing to theory on the internationalisation of emerging market multinationals (EM MNEs, see e.g. Guillén & García-Canal, 2009) and the strategic international human resource management (SIHRM) literature, it considers whether this recruitment reflects a‘springboard’ (Luo & Tung, 2007) or developmental ‘stages’ (Johanson & Vahlne, 1977; Stopford & Wells, 1972) approach to internationalisation. The findings strengthen an emerging theoretical argument of a limited transnational strategic ability (TSA) of Chinese firms. Foreign employees are not recruited to build knowledge exchange networks but to fill gaps in language competence and target-market knowledge (internal purpose), as well as for token portrayal of internationalisation (external purpose). Firms aim to extend existing local HRM practices to IHRM (that is, a global standardisation strategy). Implications for jobseekers, Chinese firms and EM MNEs of other countries are considered, propositions for further research offered, and limitations discussed.
Keywords
- HRM,
- strategy,
- recruitment,
- international,
- transnational,
- foreign,
- self-initiated expatriates,
- China
Disciplines
Publication Date
June 22, 2018
Citation Information
Arp, Frithjof, 2018. Recruitment of young SIEs in China and transnational strategic ability: A diary analysis, at 2018 European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference, June 20-23, Reykjavik, Iceland.