International HRM: Concepts, Theories, and Use in an International Context

International HRM
Reflective Learning
1 | P a g e

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Task 1..........................................................................................................................................................4
1. Critically compare international HRM concepts and theories..............................................................4
2. Critique the use of the HRM function in an international context........................................................9
Task 2........................................................................................................................................................11
Opening statement 1..............................................................................................................................12
Opening statement 2..............................................................................................................................12
Opening statement 3..............................................................................................................................13
Opening statement 4..............................................................................................................................14
Opening statement 5..............................................................................................................................15
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................15
References.................................................................................................................................................16
2 | P a g e

Introduction
The international and the multinational organizations are the organizations which has its
operations in more than two countries in the world. When considering these organizations their
size and scope will be larger and complex than that of the domestic organizations. This
complexity and increase in the size of the organization has put the pressure on the HRM of the
organizations which made the transformation of the HRM into the IHRM. The IHRM is a
strategic form of the human resource management which handles and maintains the international
operations of the organizations. All the functions of the IHRM like the procurement, staffing,
training and development etc will be based on the international context which makes its entire
functions complex. This plays an important role in the goal achievement and the success of the
overseas operations of the organizations successful. Considering the complexity and the
challenges of the Internationalization of the human resource management the researchers and the
scholars has introduced various concepts for the IHRM which enables the management of the
international organizations to operate effectively (Johnson and Szamosi, 2018).
This report reveals an exposure of the concepts and the theories of the IHRM, its uses or role in
the international operations of the organizations. The role that the IHRM plays in the
management and the maintenance of the cultural diversity in the work places of the international
and multinational organizations has also been discussed here.
3 | P a g e

Task 1
1. Critically compare international HRM concepts and theories
International Human Resource Management Definition
The definition of the international human resource management highlights that it forms a vital
function of the organizations operating internationally. We can define the international human
resource management as a systematic framework of the international and the multinational
organization which enables it to organize, coordinate, and implement the international operations
effectively. In other words I could also explain the international human resource management as
the strategic function of the international organizations which makes the international operations
sustainable. The current trend in the market which is the internationalization has provided
relevance to the IHRM. Since the internationalization makes the size of the organization bigger,
expose the organization to different culture and the environment, its management becomes more
complex and tedious (Melkman, 2018).
My research on the definition on the IHRM has also through light to its importance in
determining the legal and regulatory frameworks of each nation in which it is operating. I could
also say that it plays an important role in the employee relations in a diverse work place,
negotiations, mediations etc.
Scope and objectives of IHRM
When we look into the scope of the IHRM, we can determine that the internationalization of the
business practices has provides relevant scope for the IHRM. The internationalization puts
pressures on the IHRM in the areas which includes the management of the stake holders
worldwide, handling the issues related to the employees, managing and resolving the legal issues
etc (Prikshat and Kumar, 2018).
Even though we can find some similarities in the functions of the HRM, I could justify that the
objectives and functions of the IHRM is more extended than the domestic HRM. When
considering the objectives of the IHRM I can identify the following facts.
 The primary objective is to make the international assignments and the international
operation successful and sustainable.
 Achieving the organizational goals and objectives.
 Enhancing the competitiveness of the international organizations in the foreign market.
4 | P a g e