INDU1130 - International HRM: Reflective Learning from Presentation

This journal entry reflects on a presentation about International Human Resources Management (IHRM), focusing on key insights related to recruitment policies, challenges in international business expansion, and strategic approaches. The reflection covers the understanding of polycentric and ethnocentric recruitment methods, highlighting the benefits and costs associated with each. It emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness and legal considerations when expanding businesses into new markets like France and Europe. The journal also identifies potential short-term and long-term problems, such as time constraints and cultural clashes, and suggests strategies for addressing them. Ultimately, the reflection underscores the critical role of the HR department in ensuring successful international business expansion.

I have learnt a number of things about International Human Resources Management from
the presentation that had been done in the class. In the first slide that talks about the recruitment
policy that the company should take has made me learn about various types of recruitment
policies. I have learnt the definitions, pros and cons of polycentric and ethnocentric approaches. I
have understood that while expanding a business in a foreign country utilizing the polycentric
approach is the best way as it ensures that that hired employees will be well aware of the
international business norms and will be able to work accordingly. Moreover, language often
happens to be a problem in terms of expanding business in a foreign land. By using the
polycentric method this problem can also be solved easily as the employees hired by this method
generally fluent in a number of international language. However, I have understood that this
method is costlier than the other approaches as it recruits international employees. The company
will save cost if they do in-house recruitment only but then they will have to compromise on the
quality of their service. According to me, they should follow both the polycentric and the
ethnocentric approach while recruiting as that will help their expanses to be kept in balance.
From the second slide I understood the major concerns that the company should keep an eye on
while expanding their business in France and Europe. They should make a thorough research of
the hospitality market of France as well as of Europe. Given the fact that the US and Europe are
two culturally different nations the company while expanding their business in the later country
should make a proper understanding of the existing cultural differences and work in a way so
that the differences do not come in the way of business expansion. According to me, the
company should give their foremost attention to training the recruited employees in the proper
manner so that they can understand the requirements of the company and act accordingly.
Another issue that the company should take proper care of is the legal system. According to my

understanding from the second slide, the company should hire an experienced legal practitioner
who will be well acquainted with the laws of the foreign country. From the third slide, I have
understood the short and long-term problems that can be faced by the company in the process of
their expansion of business. According to my understanding, the most severe problem that the
company is going to face is the shortage of time. The company has only six weeks of time to
reopen their newly acquired hotels in France. This is going to cause serious problem if the
company cannot manage its time in a strategic way. Other short-term issues can be related to
budget problems and cultural differences. In the long run, I have understood, that the company
can face clashes between the leader and I believe a non-bias approach of the company towards its
employees can take control of such clashes. From the forth slide, I have understood the long-
term strategic approach that the company may follow in order to make their expansion
successful. From all the slides together, I have understood the importance of the HR group of a
certain company in its success.