BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1: HRM and Strategic Management

This assignment presents a critical analysis of four articles focusing on talent management and human resource management (HRM) in a global context. The first article examines the integration of strategic management and HRM in emerging multinational enterprises, highlighting the challenges ...Read More

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
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BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
Article 1: Managing talent in emerging economy multinationals: Integrating strategic
management and human resource management (Total word count: ~375 words)
No. Question
1 Critically appraise the argument(s) presented by the author(s).
The article examines the challenges and obstacles Emerging
Multinational Enterprises face in conducting their overseas business in regard
with talent acquisition and management. The authors argue that integrating
strategic management and HRM could be an effective measure to resolve the
matter, as it will enable the enterprises to manage the obstacles with appropriate
talent acquisition and attracting competent employees with international
leadership skill.
The article represents case studies of expatriates, local talents, and
subsidiary leaders working overseas for the home companies as well as third-
country personnel working as managers without the expatriate benefits and
examine their roles and effectiveness in the context of Chinese EMNEs. Further
it argues that training and development plays a major role in employee
development and creating a competent managerial pool. Strategic management
plays a major role in resolving the obstacles and HRM drawbacks.
The proposal of talent development has a strong potential. However, the
argument can be criticized in terms of its lack of internal validity. It does not
take into account the employees’ perspective towards the job profile and
organizational values that may affect the leadership style and consequently the
operations.
2 What is the method – how do the author(s) convince their readers?
The study follows a quantitative research methodology with a correlational
design. It starts with the hypothesis of integrating strategic management and
HRM and proceeds with research methods involving surveys, interviews and
independent data collection and analysis. It presents case studies and interviews
from a number of employees serving as expatriates, local talents as well as third-
country managers acting as mediators between the home and host country.
The article tries to influence the readers by the assertions obtained from
the case studies and further drawing on support from various scholarly literature.
It also emphasizes different approaches such as talent management, institutional
influence and Social Psychology and Anthropology perspectives in order to
analyse leadership skill development in EMNEs.
3 Discuss the limitations of the research conducted by the author(s), beyond the
limitations provided by the author(s).
The research involves certain bias that limits the scope of its potential.
Firstly, the research does not take into account the employees’
perspective into choosing the employer brand.
Secondly, it proposes employee training and development as an effective
method of talent management, although it does not consider the aspect of
appropriate talent acquisition.
Finally, the research has further scope of defining the method and
underpinning philosophy of integrating strategic management and HRM.

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
Article 2: Contemporary knowledge workers and the boundaryless work–life interface:
Implications for the human resource management of the knowledge workforce (Total
word count: ~375 words)
No. Question
1 Critically appraise the argument(s) presented by the author(s).
The article is an endeavour to develop a comprehensive and advanced
theory to analyse work-life balance. Eventually, it produces the concept of
“Boundaryless Work-Life Interface” With the given case studies and data
analysis, the article argues that the knowledge workers perceive work-life
balance as a fuzzy and without a defined compartmentalization. It often is
regarded as overlapping interface. However, the study claims that this
overlapping approach generates enhanced empowerment for knowledge
workers, as it provides flexibility and permeability in managing work and non-
work responsibilities.
Besides, the article argues that the perception and identification of work
and non-work activity are purely subjective. Technology appropriation in the
form of increased use of ICTs and FWAs has contributed in blurring the border
even more.
The article emphasizes that this fuzzy, borderless work-life balance has
facilitated the knowledge workers with flexibility and permeability. However,
this overlapping feature of work-life balance can hamper the individuals’ life as
a constant binding element to their work. Besides, the article discusses the
subjectivity in the perception of work-life balance, the argument does not
withstand as it does not recognize the external influences such as social,
economic and cultural impact on the individual.
2 What is the method – how do the author(s) convince their readers?
The research in question is an explorative case study. It utilizes an
embedded single-case design with several study of sub-cases and semi-
structured interviews. The research method was analytical and interpretive. It
uses primary data from the transcripts of semi-structured interviews as well as
the policy papers, email broadcast and directory entry of the company.
The research claims that fuzzy work-life balance creates enhanced
empowerment for knowledge workers. It convinces the target audience of their
thesis by presenting persuasive case studies. It indicates multiple instances
where employees of the host company acclaims the boundaryless work-life
balance, for it provides flexible work hours and the permeability to manage
family related responsibilities. Also, it fortifies the claim by drawing supporting
thesis from scholarly theories and analyses.
3 Discuss the limitations of the research conducted by the author(s), beyond the
limitations provided by the author(s).
The article presents an exhaustive list for the limitations and further
scope of the research. However, certain limitations and research biases can still
be identified. The sampling involves obvious bias, as does the research
outcomes. The data collection majorly records case studies in support of the
hypothesis, although it does not indicate antithesis.

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
Moreover, the research suggests that the participant perception is
subjective, though it ignores external influence on the participant. Neither does
it focuses on the company values and influences on working schedule and stress
level of the employees.
Article 3: Talent management of western MNCs in China: Balancing global integration
and local responsiveness (Total word count: ~375 words)
No. Question
1 Critically appraise the argument(s) presented by the author(s).
The thesis of the article presents the importance of strategic management
in talent identification, acquisition, management and development in Western
MNCs operating in China. Due to China’s foreign direct investment policy and
open market economy, several MNCs from the USA and UK have entered the
Chinese market. The research suggests that there is a severe shortage in effective
global managerial skill. Hence, it is imperative to the companies to identify and
implement effective institutional and cultural practices to boost global
leadership. The research findings argues that successful implementation of
strategic management can boost the talent management and HRM policy
implementation.
The article contends that the Western organizations, in order to maintain
the leadership and managerial pool, have been sending personnel management
practices and strategies to China without many significant changes. The paper
argues that the main focus of the company strategies is employee development
and establishment of organizational culture. Although, they are missing to
address the local traditions and values. Further, the authors argue that the
strategic management is yet to be implemented effectively.
2 What is the method – how do the author(s) convince their readers?
In this article, the researchers have adopted an exploratory research
method to establish the hypothesis. 7 specific case studies were undertaken to be
analysed which includes foreign organizations holding companies located in
Shanghai, China. The research is qualitative in nature as it draws data from the
case studies by the means of non-quantitative, semi-structured interviews
conducted on employees from the chosen companies, along with company
documents and policy reports. The study lays down impressive hypothesis by an
extensive and unbiased analysis of the data collected during the process.
3 Discuss the limitations of the research conducted by the author(s), beyond the
limitations provided by the author(s).
The paper in question is an in-depth analysis of the strategies and
organizational practices for talent identification, acquisition, retention and
development as observed by the Western MNCs operating in China. The authors
have presented a very meticulous and full-proof research design and
methodology in conducting the research. In terms of sampling and establishing
internal and external validity, the paper maintains a careful approach with an
aim to discard any form of research bias.

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
However, the limitation of the paper is that it does not consider the
aspect of competitive advantages with regard to the talent management
procedures in the MNCs. Although it takes into account the plans for
maintaining talent pool and reduce turnovers, it could focus on the variety of
personnel these MNCs hire, such as expatriates, local talents and third-country
personnel and discuss the scope of knowledge sharing as part of the personnel
development plan.
Article 4: Virtual teams research: 10 years, 10 themes, and 10 opportunities (Total
word count: ~375 words)
No. Question
1 Critically appraise the argument(s) presented by the author(s).
The research article presents an examination of Virtual Teams or VTs as a key
element of organizational functions in recent times. Further, it discusses at
length about 10 major themes that has boost the operations of Virtual Teams in
an organizational setting and identifies and analyses 10 promising areas of
future research.
The research argues that the development of communication technology
has been the most effective contributing factor in the rise and growth of Virtual
Teams. However, there are several other factors that has helped to boost the
function and widening the employment of VTs in sectors such as accounting,
applied psychology etc.
The research contends that there has been a significant improvement and
expansion in Virtual Team literature, i.e. extensive research on the theme that
can contribute to further analysis and comprehension of the nature, function,
importance and effectiveness of VTs. Although the article does not propose any
new approach to the theme, it surely develops required considerations and
comprehensive outlines to examine the concept of Virtual Teams.
2 What is the method – how do the author(s) convince their readers?
The research methodology of the article is largely qualitative. It bases its
analysis of the central concept on the research findings of other external
scholarly literature and synthesizes the research finding to produce a structured
and viable thesis.
The central objective of the research is to identify key factors behind the
rise and growth of Virtual Teams as well as its expansion into various sectors
apart from core technology. The research design hence complies with the
emergence of various disciplinary focus of VTs as they involve non-quantitative
fields.
The synthesis of VT literature focuses on the compilation and analysis of

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
the themes and future research scopes, which presents a compelling persuasion
to academic interest of researchers.
3 Discuss the limitations of the research conducted by the author(s), beyond the
limitations provided by the author(s).
In this article, the researchers have presented well-researched themes and future
scopes for VT literature. However, the most significant limitation of the article
is the temporal aspect of the research. The concept of VT is still novel to
academicians. Hence, the literature is ever growing in terms of themes and
influencing factors. With time, several other themes and impact points will be
discovered regarding the specific notion of VT. Although the future scopes
being realized with time does not nullify their viability, the emergence of new
literature may influence the thematic construct of the research.
Moreover, the research is fundamentally a synthesis of existing academic
work and therefore does not provide any novel outlook towards the concept.

BUSM4554/4555 Assignment 1
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